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It’s early morning on Tuesday, September 27th. The sun is not yet up. I’m having my coffee and water prior to putting on my running gear and heading out the door for another training run. I have been training for my third Detroit Free Press Marathon for over 15 weeks now. I have less than three weeks to go before I run 26.2 miles in honor of my dad, Ben Spitzer who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease over 12 years ago.
I run to raise funds for The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s. Your donation matters, greatly. I want you to know why.
Prior to my dad being diagnosed with Parkinson’s I knew very little about Parkinson’s. I knew that Michael J. Fox was diagnosed and I knew Muhammad Ali had it. I thought it made you shake and that was about it. That was the extent of my knowledge. I sometimes wish that is all I would know about it but that is not the case. I wish I didn’t have to see my dad dealing with all the effects of Parkinson’s and it is far more than shaking. If some shaking was the extent I wouldn’t be running another marathon, I wouldn’t be creating a documentary, I wouldn’t be asking you again to donate to this cause. Unfortunately, Parkinson’s is far more than shaking.
I want you to know how your donation goes to help and why it is so important. The Kirk Gibson Foundation helps to promote collaboration, they are building a community of support for those diagnosed as well as their support network and they are funding research to fight Parkinson’s disease. They are working to working to break the stigma as their website says; “One of the primary goals of the Foundation is to create awareness and understanding about Parkinson’s disease. Unfortunately, too many individuals are in denial about the disease or fear there is a stigma associated with it and delay seeking medical help. Early diagnosis and treatment can provide years that are virtually symptom-free.”
Your donation does help. It is meaningful. You are making a difference in the lives of many with your donation no matter how large or small. I truly love and appreciate everyone who has been supportive throughout the years.
Thank you.
Jamen Spitzer