Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease five years ago, my life has changed in many ways. I have found a group of people willing to fight for a better life. They challenge themselves and each other to exercise everyday with the hope of slowing the effects of a neuro degenerative disease. They come together in support groups to share ideas, knowledge and resources in order make life a little better for all. Last year, I joined forces with the Neuro Challenge Foundation as they shared my goal of “Improving the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers”. Working together we started a Delay the Disease fitness program in St Petersburg YMCA. Delay the Disease is the #1 evidenced-based fitness program designed to optimize physical function and help delay the progression of Parkinson’s disease. The comments from everyone involved were overwhelmingly positive. We talked about expanding to other locations and offering more classes. It was great to see and hear all the impact we were making by providing resources to the community.

Then came COVID19, a pandemic that can be deadly to those of us with other health issues. Programs had to be shutdown as we were all asked to stay home. Staying isolated without exercise is tough on the average person, but can have very negative long-term effects on people with Parkinson’s. Realizing the need to continue offering support to the Parkinson’s community, Neuro Challenge quickly moved to bring over 40 of their programs to an online platform, making them accessible to folks across the country. The response from the Parkinson’s community has been very strong. The founders of Delay the Disease stepped up and began to offer classes online too.

Why do I tell you all of this? Because I need your help. Neuro Challenge, like many other organizations, was forced to cancel their major fundraising event at the same time as the community needed more resources. Neuro Challenge stepped up to meet the challenge to provide new programs. Now they need financial help to continue. The local community is holding a one day “Giving Challenge”. During the Giving Challenge donations will be matched as follows:

• Any donations between $25 to $100, made by a unique donor using a credit/debit card will be matched $ for $ by the Patterson Foundation. So get creative, have your spouse, friends, neighbors or others make one too.
• Any amount will be matched again by an anonymous donor.
• And finally, I will match the donation of $25 to $100, with a donation to your favorite charity or to my favorite, the Neuro Challenge Foundation.

So will you help? Your $100 donation can be worth up to $400. Click here for instructions on how to donate and get the match.