 |
 |
Update: Thomas Hartman Foundation Dinner June 15th. 2004 THE TICKER A. J. Carter April 26, 2004 MSGR. TOM HARTMAN, the more serious half of the God Squad, is as well liked as you can get in the business community - and we're about to see how well liked that is. The committee behind a June 15 dinner hopes to raise at least $1 million (we heard a goal of up to $3 million) for the Thomas Hartman Foundation, which contributes to research to find a cure for Parkinson's disease, from which Hartman suffers. The committee is getting a big help from Huntington Townhouse owner Rhona Silver, who is donating her catering hall, food and all. SOURCE: Newsday http://tinyurl.com/37lt9 * * * Thomas Hartman Foundation Catholic Press Association Spotlight By Jerry Costello Msgr. Tom Hartman and I go back a long way, too. We first met in the mid-70s in New Orleans, where I was teaching a summer course for Catholic communicators at Loyola University and Tom, relatively new to the game at the time, was one of the students. We hit it off and our friendship flourished not only in the classroom but at some memorable New Orleans restaurants, fortified by a more-than-adequate supply of refreshments. He always has been, and certainly remains, great company. Tom, of course, has gone on to big things, most notably as co-host (with Rabbi Marc Gellman) of “The God Squad” on television. He’s also a popular author and speaker, and still serves as director of the Rockville Centre (N.Y.) diocesan television office, Telecare. Catholic press readers know that recently Tom has been in the news under more disturbing circumstances: he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and is beginning to feel some of that illness’ debilitating effects. Now he’s fighting back. A story by Lena Pennino in The Long Island Catholic, also distributed by Catholic News Service, reports that Tom has created the Thomas Hartman Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, through which he hopes to raise $6 million. He has scheduled its first fund-raising event for June, and whatever is realized will be matched by funds from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. As Lena reported: “When a specialist told him that Parkinson’s disease could be cured within 10 years if research projects were funded, ‘I realized, God was inviting me to help find a cure,’ he said. ‘I am never afraid to ask (for money) for Christ or people in need although I never could ask for myself.’” Now, in a way, he is—but also for countless others. Tom has always been a prodigious fund-raiser, and may God grant him continued success in this new endeavor. He finds strength in the example of Pope John Paul II, who has battled a Parkinson’s-like illness and remains strong, intelligent and sound. “This is his cross before his ascent to heaven,” Tom told The Long Island Catholic. The paper’s story concluded: “Msgr. Hartman recalled one of his own favorite phrases: ‘God created this world with certain holes in it, to give us something to do.’ “I think I know why I have this disease: to find a cure,” he said. “Of course, I’m not sure if I know why. I’ll only find out when I meet God.” SOURCE: The Catholic Press http://www.catholicpress.org/story6.htm * * * Fr. Tom will use his best talent in helping fight Parkinson’s By Lena Pennino - The Long Island Catholic Vol. 42 No. 47 February 18, 2004 Five years ago, Father Tom Hartman, director of the diocesan television service Telecare and one-half of the team hosting the popular show, “The God Squad,” heard the words, “You have Parkinson’s disease.” Even as he battles the slight limp and trembling hands, symptomatic of the disease, Father Tom is now turning his skill at fundraising into a weapon to fight for a cure. Father Tom has created The Thomas Hartman Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Inc. to find a cure for Parkinson’s, a degenerative neurological disorder typically associated with trembling limbs, slow movements, stiffness, and finally physical incapacitation. The organization hopes to collect $6 million. This money, matched by funds from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, would fund three research projects aimed at finding a cure. (Although The Michael J. Fox Foundation promotes stem cell research, Father Tom will not fund any projects involving stem cells.) When Father Tom first learned he had the disease, he often prayed to God in his car. “I feared that I would be in a wheelchair and wouldn’t be able to speak or swallow,” he said. “Then, I would say, ‘God, please don’t do this.’” When a specialist told him that Parkinson’s disease could be cured within 10 years if research projects were funded, “I realized, God was inviting me to help find a cure,” he said. “I am never afraid to ask (for money) for Christ or people in need although I never could ask for myself.” After a pause he added, “I guess this is the closest instance of my asking for myself. I want to be cured of this disease and maybe if we cure it, others wouldn’t have to go through this.” At first glance, it is difficult to notice any abnormalities in Father Tom. Last week, he sat calmly in his chair chatting nonchalantly about his disorder after the first executive board meeting of the foundation. However, as Father Tom mentions his daily exercises, the 28 pills he takes a day, the exhaustion that often leads him to an office couch in Telecare, the impact of his Parkinson’s is clear. As a media personality, he has made his living in the communications field. Yet, he is slowly losing his power to communicate. Although he tapes six shows a week at Telecare (down from 10) and will likely continue to appear on cable news shows on MSNBC, CNN and Fox News, his vocal muscles are getting weaker. “My voice is getting softer,” he said. He has written and co-authored books including, “How Do You Spell God?” which became an award-winning HBO special. He also writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column with Rabbi Marc Gellman, his God Squad partner. Now, he admits, it is difficult to write. “My handwriting starts out normal but then it gets smaller and smaller.” There’s more. “I have tremors; my hands shake. I have stiffness and my legs freeze. I’ll go to make a turn and I’ll get stuck. Getting in and out of cars is more difficult. It’s hard to turn over on my side. I have a slight limp on my right side. I don’t drive as well, so I don’t take long trips. It’s a real adjustment.” He realizes that the pills that help keep his muscles fluid won’t work forever. Over time, current medical treatments become ineffective, leaving few options as the disease advances. Still, Father Tom finds hope in the example of another priest: Pope John Paul II. Although the Pope has an illness similar to Parkinson’s disease, “he (the Pope) is strong, intelligent, and sound,” Father Tom said. “This is his cross before his ascent to heaven. Illness doesn’t stop you from doing good and in many instances it is a reminder of how important it is to patch up some of the holes in this world.” He paused as he recalled a favorite phrase, “God created this world with certain holes in it,” he said, “to give us something to do.” “I think I know why I have this disease: to find a cure,” he said. “Of course, I’m not sure if I know why. I’ll only find out when I meet God.” He is confident of one thing: “I think the people of Long Island will rally behind this cause,” he said. For more information or to make a donation, please call 631-277-9655. “We will have the cure.” This fledgling foundation has planned its first fundraiser: dinner at Huntington Town House on Tuesday, June 15. SOURCE: The Long Island Catholic http://www.licatholic.org/archive/021804/frtom.htm * * * Parkinson's-stricken 'God Squad' priest raises funds to fight disease Published: 2004-03-04 UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CNS) -- Five years ago, Msgr. Thomas Hartman, director of the Rockville Centre diocesan television office called Telecare and one half of the team hosting the popular TV show, "The God Squad," heard the words, "You have Parkinson's disease." Even as he battles the slight limp and trembling hands that are symptomatic of the disease, the priest is now turning his skill at fund-raising into a weapon to fight for a cure. Msgr. Hartman has created the Thomas Hartman Foundation for Parkinson's Research. The organization hopes to collect $6 million and has scheduled its first fund-raising event June 15. The money, matched by funds from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, would fund three research projects aimed at finding a cure. Although Fox's foundation promotes stem-cell research, Msgr. Hartman will not fund any projects involving stem cells. SOURCE: Catholic News Service / The Georgia Bulletin, Atlanta, GA http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2004/03/04/PEOPLE-2/ * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn