New Team Fox member Steve Gorny has always been an endurance runner. His resume includes 17 marathons, one 50K run (31 miles), a 100 miler and a Tough Mudder (extremely hard adventure/obstacle course run). But after his father Len was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the fall of 2010, he decided he needed to run for Parkinson’s research. He also wanted to “raise the crazy factor” as he says, which is when he came up with “B.R.E.A.K” Parkinson’s – which stands for “By Running Entirely Across Kansas.”
On May 30th, Gorny will start the 233 mile journey across the state of Kansas on Route 99 from the southern border with Oklahoma to the northern border with Nebraska. His plan is to complete the 233 miles in just 5 days, looking to average 50 a day for the first 4 days so that day 5 is “just” the remaining 33. Continue reading “Steve Gorny plans to “B.R.E.A.K.” Parkinson’s – By Running Entirely Across Kansas” »
Andrew and Laura Slabin with their children
While Andrew Slabin’s mom, Carole, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s almost 25 years ago, she wouldn’t share the news with her children for another 20 years. But once she did, Andrew says it brought their family closer—and inspired both him and his sister to take action.
At the time of her diagnosis, Carole was in her 40s. Her husband knew, but she didn’t want to burden her two children, who were in high school and college. Andrew says, “I think she felt we had enough to worry about then. I know it was a burden for her staying silent all those years—and is a relief now that she’s told us. But it was her right, and we respect that.” Continue reading “Ending the Silence to Find a Silver Lining” »
MJFF Board member Karen Finerman shared an exclusive essay on women and money with designer Tory Burch for Mother’s Day.
My mother’s message about money to her four daughters was unconventional at the time: You must make your own. As a stay-at-home mom, it was clear she felt her own limitations by not having an independent source of income. She made it known to me from an early age that there was no other way: You must take control of your financial future and be able to support yourself.
Considering she’s the president and co-founder of one of the most successful hedge funds in New York, it’s probably worth taking her money advice seriously. Continue reading “Karen Finerman on Women and Money” »
Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius today unveiled specific elements of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA). The five-pronged research and education initiative aims to develop effective treatments and cures for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by 2025.
To help accelerate this urgent work, the President’s proposed FY 2013 budget provides a $100 million increase for efforts to combat Alzheimer’s disease. These funds will support additional research ($80 million), improve public awareness of the disease ($4.2 million), support provider education programs ($4.0 million), invest in caregiver support ($10.5 million), and improve data collection ($1.3 million).
“These actions are the cornerstones of an historic effort to fight Alzheimer’s disease,” Secretary Sebelius said. “This is a national plan–not a federal one, because reducing the burden of Alzheimer’s will require the active engagement of both the public and private sectors.” Continue reading “U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Unveils National Plan for Alzheimer’s” »
Lily Safra, Michael J. Fox and Debi Brooks
Christie’s Geneva hosted a highly anticipated auction on May 14, which would exceed their pre-sale expectations by more than $11 million. In one record-setting evening, ‘Jewels For Hope: The Collection of Mrs. Lily Safra’ realized a total of almost $39 million. Even more remarkable than the sum is its destination: The Lily Safra Foundation will donate the full proceeds to 32 charitable organizations—including The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF).
Mrs. Lily Safra said, “I am overjoyed, knowing that so many people in need around the world will benefit. Like the jewels sold tonight, these extraordinary organizations make the world a more beautiful place, and it is a great privilege to be able to support them.” Continue reading “Gems Give Hope for a Parkinson’s Cure—and Much More—at Record-Setting Auction” »
Firms can now map a person’s full genetic profile faster and cheaper than ever before— it’s a trend which could have important implications in health care, and it’s one that continues to get coverage in the nation’s major media outlets. In March, The New York Times wrote that new technology to this end is raising hopes for advances in medicine.
Today, The Wall Street Journal reports that the emergence of this very technology creates a new question: How to translate knowledge of a person’s genetic profile into better health care. According to Journal reporter Amy Dockser Marcus: Continue reading “Can Genetic Profiling Translate into Better Health Care?” »
Team Sister's Fighting Parkinson's!
Tips For Parkinson’s is gearing up for it’s 7th year and you’re invited! On May 23rd, 2012 over 800 people will walk through the doors of the IAC HQ Building and raise money for Team Fox. Tips For Parkinson’s was started by Team Fox Member and Mentor Susan Bilotta in an effort to raise money and awareness for Team Fox. The event is dedicated to Susan’s mother who’s been living with Parkinson’s for over 20 years. TFP started in 2006 at local bar in New York City called Vertigo with 100 friends and family. Jump to 2012 and TFP has has become a competitive bartending event with great food and exciting auction items. Last year Tips for Parkinson’s raised over $190,000 for Team Fox! Continue reading “7th Annual Tips For Parkinson’s” »
Guest blogger Peter Burne is a member of the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) Patient Council. Peter recently attended the annual PPMI meeting in New York City. Below Peter shares his impressions from the meeting and why he decided to get involved.
Early in May I had the opportunity to attend the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) annual meeting held in New York City. PPMI is a five-year international study sponsored by The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) to identify biomarkers that reveal the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). A biomarker is a substance, process or characteristic in the body that is associated with the risk, presence or progression of a disease. A good example of a biomarker is high blood pressure for potential cardiovascular disease.
There is currently no known biomarker for PD. Finding one would provide scientists with a critical tool to predict, objectively diagnose and monitor the disease. It would also allow researchers to determine which medications work and which do not, important information for pharmaceutical companies that might invest in developing drugs to treat Parkinson’s. Continue reading “All These People, Working for Us” »
Guests check out the auction table at the Poehlmann family's Team Fox event.
In April 2012, Team Fox member Josie Poehlmann celebrated the tenth anniversary of her event, the Annual Tom Poehlmann Benefit for Parkinson’s. Together with her sons Tom Jr. and Brian, Josie has been raising funds to honor her late husband, who had Parkinson’s disease. In the last ten years, they have raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars for Team Fox by inviting their friends and family members to McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon in Philadelphia for an afternoon complete with live music, raffles, a silent auction and free draft beer.
This year’s event brought many obstacles, including new state gambling laws that prevented their annual (and successful) 50/50 and Chinese raffles, a torrential downpour on the day of that they were sure would affect attendance, and more. Despite all of this, about 300 people attended and they achieved their goal of raising $20,000. Continue reading “How One Family in Philadelphia Has Raised Nearly $250,000 for Parkinson’s Research” »
Students, faculty and friends in line for pancakes!
The students at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) are unstoppable. With more than a dozen spirit groups on campus, over 60 Greek Letter Organizations, and countless student activities, there is never a dull moment. It’s no surprise then that so many volunteered their time to make the 2nd Annual Longhorn Pancakes for Parkinson’s event a success.
The results truly speak for themselves: over 100 student volunteers, 3,000 in attendance, and nearly $20,000 raised for Parkinson’s research. In its second year, Longhorn Pancakes again honored longtime and beloved faculty member Dr. James Vick. To show his appreciation and support, Dr. Vick—accompanied by his wife, Niki, and daughter, Stuart—mingled with students, fellow faculty members and friends for the entire duration of the event. Clearly Longhorn Pancakes will carry on a tradition of raising funds and awareness for PD that was started years ago at the University of Virginia. Continue reading “Second Annual Longhorn Pancakes Event Raises Nearly $20,000 for Team Fox” »
New Team Fox member Steve Gorny has always been an endurance runner. His resume includes 17 marathons, one 50K run (31 miles), a 100 miler and a Tough Mudder (extremely hard adventure/obstacle course run). But after his father Len was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the fall of 2010, he decided he needed to run for Parkinson’s research. He also wanted to “raise the crazy factor” as he says, which is when he came up with “B.R.E.A.K” Parkinson’s – which stands for “By Running Entirely Across Kansas.”
