Community
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Community
This summer, riders of all ages united in pursuit of a cure for Parkinson’s disease. The Tour de
Fox Series brought the purpose and passion from last year’s cross-country adventure to
community rides in Ohio’s Great Lakes, the Pacific Northwest and California’s Wine Country.
With 900 participants and more than $800,000 raised (and counting), the 2016 Series proved
yet again that our community possesses extraordinary commitment.
Three cyclists explain why they took part:
“Tour de Fox combines two critical
elements to maximize life with PD:
exercise and staying social. I ride to
support my health and everyone who
lives with the disease.”
— Glenn Leppo
Person with Parkinson’s
Left: MJFF Patient Council member
Karen Jaffe, Sam Fox and Glen Leppo
RAISING A GLASS —
AND COMPANY
SUPPORT —
TO FUND
RESEARCH
Photo by Ann Billingsley
Tour de Fox Series Cyclists
Help Close the Gap on a Cure
(L to R) Friends of Team Fox members Ryan Chorazy,
Brian Thorne and Craig Agnello at the 2015 Team Fox
MVP awards dinner.
Sometimes the best
ideas are conceived
over cocktails.
party. In 2014, several of them ran the New York
City Marathon, raising $15,000.
To continue growing, members also leverage
corporate support whenever possible. Craig takes
advantage of the philanthropic side of his company,
Salesforce, which not only matches donations, but
also encourages employees to get involved. Last
year Craig organized a Salesforce corporate team
to run in the New York Fox Trot 5K. Much of the
group’s fundraising success has come from simply
checking with employers and coworkers for interest
in corporate matches.
That’s what happened eight years ago when young
professionals Craig Agnello, Mark Longstreth and
a dozen friends gathered at a happy hour in New
York. With everyone settling into their careers, they
wanted to do something more meaningful than just
meet for drinks. Someone mentioned a positive
experience at a Team Fox event and “Friends of
Team Fox” was born.
Craig, Mark and the team planned their first
fundraiser, a holiday party that attracted 70
attendees. It remains their most popular event,
drawing more than 300 guests in 2015. Each year it
features memorable entertainment, such as a gospel
choir, a fiddler and a Billy Joel cover band.
Rick Tigner and his wife, Wendy
Renee Le Verrier and her husband, Andreas Meyer, ride a
tandem bike on the Tour.
“Riding a bike is like eating ice cream: The only time it’s
sad is if it falls to the ground. But, rather than give up
cycling due to fear, I ride a tandem. Having fun while
raising money for a cure is like a double dip!”
— Renee Le Verrier
“My wife has lived with PD for over 10 years, and I’m
looking for any way to support her. As event organizer,
it’s been incredible to watch the Wine Country ride grow
year after year. I’ll keep running this event for five, 10,
20 years — however long it takes.”
— Rick Tigner
MJFF Board member
Person with Parkinson’s
HELP US CROSS THE FINISH LINE! DONATE AT TOURDEFOX.ORG.
They also advise starting small by finding something
you enjoy doing and turning it into an event. Then,
find a core group of people who are willing to jump
in and help. Mark points out that sometimes people
don’t get involved until someone asks them.
“It’s really fulfilling when an event comes off
successfully,” said Mark. “Every year we raise more
and more money for research, and now we’re seeing
a new generation coming in to our team. It’s not
just a social event, it’s a good cause that we all really
believe in.”
So far the team has raised more than $300,000 for
Parkinson’s research through unique events and
outreach to siblings, coworkers, college networks
and friends of friends. Some years they add a
summer event, such as a cocktail cruise or a beach
OPTIMIZE
YOUR GIFT
TO MJFF
Employee giving is an easy way to amplify
your support. Many corporations will match
your personal donation, doubling or even tripling
the impact of your gift to help speed a cure for
Parkinson’s disease. Another option is to donate
pre-tax through your regular paycheck.
See if your company has an existing program at
michaeljfox.org/employermatch.
20
21
The Fox Focus
Fall/Winter 2016
DOUBLE
YOUR
IMPACT