20 Fox Focus | Community
Team Fox ’ s Next Gen :
Passionate , Creative and Changing the Game
By Jess Cavallaro
From bake sales to dance marathons , teenagers are proving that when it comes to fundraising for Parkinson ’ s research , age is just a number . Through their emerging leadership roles in Team Fox fundraising , these young individuals are spreading awareness and hope — and pushing research closer to a cure .
Kicking for a Cause
Bringing together her community in Orlando , Florida , high school junior and varsity soccer player Rianna Bissessar , 17 , left , with her coach , Jeremy Christi , organized a soccer tournament for youth players in 2023 to honor her grandfather , who lived with PD . In its first year , the tournament raised more than $ 10,000 . “ I wanted to create a fundraiser that not only advocates for PD awareness but also encompassed some components of the activities he loved ,” says Rianna .