THE FOX FOCUS...
ON THE COMMUNITY
GREAT SCOTT!
Join MJFF, the PD community and Back to The Future fans in celebrating the trilogy’s 30th
anniversary and supporting critical Parkinson’s research.
Visit teamfox.org/
events and search
“Back to the Future” or
by state for local events.
Start your own puffer
vest photo contest or
Cubs victory party and
fundraise for Team Fox.
Join in the fun on
social media with
Back to the Future stars Christopher Lloyd, Michael J. Fox and Lea Thompson
reunite at the 2015 London Comic Con
#BTTF2015
WE HAVE ONE GOAL:
CURE PARKINSON’S DISEASE.
Help us make this a reality.
Your contribution brings us one step closer to a cure.
GIVE TO MJFF TODAY
A Future Without Parkinson’s continued
from page 1 ›
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg —
across the entire Parkinson’s research field,
tremendous advances are pushing better
16 THE FOX FOCUS
treatments and a cure closer to pharmacy
shelves. Read on to learn more about the
patients, families, researchers and
committed supporters powering us toward
a future without Parkinson’s disease.
Kickin’ Up
His Heels for
Parkinson’s
Research
by cheryl blowers
Q
uentin Dastugue is a chief
executive officer, retired
public servant, loving husband and a proud father of
three adult daughters. Yet six years ago,
when he received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, he found himself at a loss.
But only momentarily. Quentin and Penny,
his wife of more than 30 years, knew they
had to form a new and active plan. Quentin has since extended his leadership to
The Michael J. Fox Foundation and the
Parkinson’s community at large,
hosting a $300,000 (and growing)
Team Fox fundraiser and serving on the
Foundation’s Patient Council.
Quentin’s first step was to research
and apply for clinical trials, while learning
as much about PD as possible. He
realized that with 60,000 new cases of PD
diagnosed each year in the United States,
he could play a vital role in empowering his
fellow PD patients and their families —
and speeding a cure. When he found The
Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), it immediately clicked. “[The Foundation was]
the most progressive in driving research,”
he said.
Energized by his experiences with
MJFF, he took his next step: joining Team
Fox and launching a fundraiser. It began as
a local race at a fitness and lifestyle club,
but Quentin realized that it needed a preparty. So Kickin’ Parkinson’s was born. A
small party in its first year, the event has
since grown to involve a 28-person committee. They work together throughout
the year to host the Kickin’ party and
Quentin Dastugue with (clockwise from left) daughters Allison,
Margaux and Kaitlin, wife Penny and pets Roxy and Roux
concert, which includes an auction and
food festival, followed by the race the
next day. In 2015, they aim to host 500
guests and raise another $300,000.
Quentin’s family has rallied around him.
Penny serves as his right-hand woman in
a new way, leading the Kickin’ Parkinson’s
committee and facilitating the event’s
growth year after year. Their daughters
Kaitlin and Margaux have taped videos to
support their father and the event. And in
2014, daughter Allison, led a Pancakes for
Parkinson’s event at her university.
Quentin has also quickly become a
catalyst for the PD community
throughout Louisiana, sharing the latest
research updates and opportunities for
clinical trials. His involvement with the
Patient Council, he says, has enhanced his
ability to educate patients and their loved
ones. Quentin has spoken with support
groups throughout the state, often
counsels newly diagnosed patients and
helps people connect with critical
resources to help them maximize
their care.
Quentin’s call to action for PD
patients and their loved ones: “Don’t be
disillusioned by the diagnosis. Everyone
is given a challenge in life. And if we stand
together, we make progress toward our
goal of a cure.”
FALL/WINTER 2015 17