COVINGTON, LA — The 7th annual Kickin’ Parkinson’s fundraiser raised $381,700 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2016. This brings its three-year total to $1,020,000.
“I am always amazed by the generosity of this community, raising over a $1 million is a milestone,” said Quentin Dastugue, co-founder of Kickin’ Parkinson’s who has been living with Parkinson’s since 2009. “We are extremely thankful for the support of so many people in the greater New Orleans area who have been a part of this effort. As one of the 25 members of the Michael J. Fox Foundation Patient Council, I see first hand the tremendous research and progress being made to cure Parkinson’s disease. I know we are making a difference.”
Kickin’ Parkinson’s is part of Team Fox, The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s global grassroots community fundraising program. In both 2015 and 2016, Kickin’ Parkinson’s raised more than $300,000 annually, 100 percent of which has gone directly to MJFF’s high-impact programs to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
“Year after year, Kickin’ Parkinson’s amplifies the Team Fox spirit of combining passion and commitment to speeding a cure, now to the tune of $1 million,” said Deborah W. Brooks, MJFF co-founder and executive vice chairman for The Michael J. Fox Foundation. “We’re grateful for all that Quentin, Penny and the Kickin’ Parkinson’s committee do to transform patients’ lives, including through Quentin’s leadership as part of our Patient Council, energizing the local Parkinson’s community and pushing research forward.”
The Kickin’ Parkinson’s fundraiser Party at the Stone Creek Club and Spa in Covington featured live music from The Molly Ringwalds, an open bar and food by local restaurants, a silent auction and many special guests, including MJFF’s Brooks.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research, and has funded more than $600 million to speed a cure for Parkinson’s since 2000.
