Parkinson's Disease Awareness Days 2001
in
CHILLIcothe ILLInois
(continued)
PJStar: Disease not limiting her fund raising
Disease not limiting her fund raising.
When Joan E. Blessington Snyder does something, it isn't
halfway.
by Terry Bibo
06 April 2001 - When she says "her dream team" is ready to
make money for Parkinson's disease research, they want big
money.
In fact, they've already got some. Methodist Medical Center
has pledged $10,000 to help underwrite "Links For A Cure:
2001".
Joan E. & Co. have planned a golf outing and family day from 8
a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. July 7 at Donovan Golf Course in Peoria
and Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe.
I've written about Joan a couple of times before. She was
diagnosed with Parkinson's disease a decade ago. The only good
news is that it happened during the computer age, and she has
spent the years since then getting organized online.
She's co-published a book, "Voices from the Parking Lot",
derived partly from the friendships she established by
computer and launched in New York City on her 50th birthday.
Along with Michael J. Fox, she is a board member of People
Living With Parkinson's, (PLWP) which has become a
clearinghouse for information about the disease.
"People, they're volunteering to help. These are people who
can't even get out of the house", says fellow board member and
PLWP co-founder Nancy Abraham, who was in town this week to
help launch the fund-raising plans. "But they can do it
because of the Internet".
The limitations imposed by her disease appear to be the only
ones on Joan; in just a few months, she has assembled an
enviable list of corporate sponsors to go along with the dream
team for the event.
Caterpillar Inc. has pledged $4,000. Clifton & Gunderson is in
for $1,000. Auction items and/or support have been offered by
the Peoria Park District, the Peoria Chiefs, Three Sisters
Park, Green Chevrolet, CEFCU, and O'Brien's Jewelers, RLI,
Maui Jim, Illini Golf, Waugh's Frozen Foods, and Cheddar's,
among others.
Tee-off time is 9 a.m. for the golfers. At 11:30 a.m., the
gates will open at Three Sisters with a hot air balloon, face
painting, and balloons available at different points in the
day.
Portions of "The Letting Go - A Parkinson's Story", an art
exhibit based on the life of Chillicothe teacher Claude Scott,
who died of Parkinson's, will be displayed.
Entertainment includes magician Gordon Snow, storyteller Brian
"Fox" Ellis, wildlife expert Marge Bjorklund and balloon
bender Doug Smith of Unique Twist for the kids.
Later in the afternoon, the Millennium Big Band, Pat Hazell,
and Sally Weisenberg and the Famous Sidemen will perform.
The whole day is sponsored by the Parkinson's Alliance.
Two-thirds of the net profits will go directly to research -
matched dollar for dollar by the Tuchman Foundation up to
$50,000.
The remaining third will be designated by the committee for
different projects, which may include research being done at
the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria,
contributions to the Claude Scott Memorial Scholarship Fund at
IVC High School, or PLWP itself.
"We're hoping that by making this announcment now, people will
want to jump on the bandwagon", Joan says.
Brochures with information about the event should start
popping up around the area next week. Golf sponsorships are
still available. Or, you can contact Joan Snyder, 14525 North
Grandview Drive, Chillicothe, Illinois 61523. The phone number
is 579-3026; the e-mail address is [log in to unmask]
Terry Bibo is a columnist for the Peoria Journal Star.
[photo of terry bibo] Write her at 1 News Plaza, Peoria,
Illinois, 61643, or call 1-800-225-5757, ext. 3189, or send
e-mail to [log in to unmask]
Joan Blessington Snyder - PD and Me
http://www.geocities.com/joanbsnyder/ .
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