Parkinson’s disease fundraisers can actually be fun, I’ve found
Our walk and requests for donations have helped me feel I'm part of the battle
It’s that time of year again: time for our annual Walk for Parkinson’s.
I hate asking people for money, even for such a worthwhile cause as our local Parkinson’s Society here in Ontario, Canada. Since my diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2015, however, I’ve felt the cause is too important to ignore, not just for me but for the thousands of Canadians who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s every year. I still feel uncomfortable, but too bad; we need that money for research and programs that will come up with a cure or, at the least, improve our quality of life.
I had a friendly fundraising competition with someone in my boxing class a few years ago. It was very low-key, and we cheered each other along the way. By the end of the campaign, he was in the lead. On the last day of the campaign, I was running on a treadmill at the gym when he texted me. “Congratulations!”
Since I was clueless, I texted him back: “What are you talking about?”
“Check your fundraising page,” he replied.
By then, I’d turned off the treadmill and was giving my phone my full attention. I checked my fundraising page. In the moments before the campaign’s end, good friends and their family had made a generous and substantial donation, one that put me in the lead at the last moment.
Why did this donation make me want to cry? My friend’s gesture moved me. At that moment, I was no longer just a person with Parkinson’s, but part of a community fighting against it. I was no longer alone. It made me feel seen, hopeful, and fortunate. Maybe I, not Parkinson’s, could win this battle.
The pleasure of fundraising: not an oxymoron
Last year, my daughters picked sunflowers (we grow them on our farm) and sold them, with the proceeds going to the Parkinson’s Society. They’re doing the same this year. I might make cookies and sell them as well.
One thing I enjoy about this fundraising event is its casual nature. It’s simply a walk, not a race. It’s a gathering of friends and family and a reminder that we’re all in this together. We all gather in a local park, and we can walk as far as we want. My team is “The Wilson Happy Hikers” (Wilson is our family name, whereas I use my maiden name), and friends and family walk with us. I got us matching T-shirts last year, and we raised the most money in southwestern Ontario!
The most powerful fundraising advice I can give you is simply to ask. Share your story. Tell potential donors why this cause is important to you, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the generosity and kindness that abounds.
I’m deeply grateful for past support and am thankful for all my family and friends as they take part in this journey with me.
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
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