Fall / Winter 2023 | Community 21
Advancing Research with Their Legacies
W . N . “ Bill ” Wilkins Eric PItcher and his family
With characteristic forward-looking optimism , Eric Pitcher and W . N . “ Bill ” Wilkins responded to the challenges of Parkinson ’ s disease by committing themselves , each in his own extraordinary way , to supporting the Parkinson ’ s community and improving care through research .
Until they passed away after living with PD — Eric in November 2022 and Bill in July 2023 — both served on MJFF ’ s Patient Council , where they contributed valuable know-how from the professional world and a generosity of spirit that helped guide the Foundation ’ s work . Both also made meaningful charitable gifts to support Parkinson ’ s research .
Today , Eric and Bill ’ s families are carrying forward their legacies for Parkinson ’ s patients everywhere .
After Bill was diagnosed in 2006 , he fully turned his attention and experience in media to Parkinson ’ s advocacy . A founding member of MJFF ’ s Patient Council , he also played a longtime role on the Unified Parkinson ’ s Advocacy Council . The Wilkins Parkinson ’ s Foundation , which he founded in 2010 , helped expand PD awareness and accelerate research .
In one of many testaments to his work , his son Daniel and Daniel ’ s family honor his legacy by funding research in PD .
Like Bill , Eric also committed countless hours and remarkable compassion to Parkinson ’ s advocacy . A chemical engineer turned advisor and venture partner to start-ups , he was active for years with Great Investors ’ Best Ideas , a foundation that raised pivotal funds supporting MJFF ’ s research programs .
As part of his legacy , Eric made an astonishing bequest of $ 1 million to MJFF to continue funding research for a cure . Now , to honor Eric ’ s life and commitment to PD research , his family — including his wife Liz and children Heather , Michelle , Travis , Ethan and Ava — are joining other families to support MJFF ’ s worldwide Giving Tuesday fundraising effort , pooling their generosity into a significant “ match ” for all donations to fund research on Giving Tuesday on November 28 .