An interview with Lou Russo of Putt for Parkinson’s on June 13, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
Lou Russo is an experienced Sports Media professional with work experience across numerous different sports. Well versed in several different technologies used in video editing. Good experience in Scouting and Personnel within a sports organization. Possess a strong love and passion for sports, business, and social media.
Please tell me a little about your background and what got you involved with awareness.
My Dad has lived with Parkinson’s for over 12 years now. Sadly, my family and I have seen an accelerated progression of this difficult disease continue to affect my wonderful father’s quality of life. When people think of Parkinson’s disease, they most often identify with the disruption of motor skills and physical disabilities; however, my father has not only endured the physical effects but has suffered and struggled even more with the mental challenges he has faced over the last several years.
Can you tell me more about Putt for Parkinson’s?
Putt for Parkinson’s is an annual golf tournament sponsored by Hope for a Cure – a non-profit organization founded by the Russo Family in honor of their father Louis, a long-time sufferer of Parkinson’s disease.
In 2020, we decided to start our own charity called “Hope For A Cure” due to our continued growth and success of our event. In just our 9th year we have been able to grow our event more each year, with over 325 people in attendance for the golf and/or dinner portion of our Charity Event – “Putt for Parkinson’s.”
Our success would not have been possible without the team effort and hard work from all those on our Event Committee (including my Wife, Mother, Sister, Mother-in-law and Sister-in-law) and all of those who attended our event or donated to this great cause. We were able to raise over $52,000 this year (over $205,000 since 2013) and expect to continue to improve our success with this event each year going forward. Our hope is that through the aid of our fundraising efforts and the help of other donors, Doctors will be able to develop a more effective treatment and medication plan to better treat Parkinson’s Disease patients, like my father.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
Parkinson’s not only affects a person’s physical movements and visible expressions, but also their mental and emotional capabilities. For us, this has proven to be the most severe and difficult aspect of this debilitating disease. Over the last several years my Dad’s Parkinson’s has progressed much quicker than any of us could have anticipated. With the current medication and treatments not being as successful in aiding his new lifestyle, my family decided we could no longer sit idle and watch our father fight against this difficult disease.
What type of goals does Putt for Parkinson’s have when fundraising for Parkinson’s awareness?
The event benefits individuals with Parkinson’s by fundraising for research and we donate to the Parkinson’s community in our area to assist rehab facilities, physical therapy and help those who are struggling. We also support businesses to assist individuals as well as the caregivers. We want to help improve the quality of life for all.
What type of events do you hold?
We hold a Putt for Parkinson’s golf event which provides for many sponsorships. See https://www.puttforparkinsons.com/sponsorships
We invite you to join us as we kick off our golf outing with a cocktail reception at Ramblewood Country Club and Seven Tap-Tavern. The night will be spent surrounded by good friends all united for a good cause, sprinkled with open bar and food spread, live music from the Grouser Girls and giveaways @ https://www.puttforparkinsons.com/reception
What effect can an event like yours have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
Individuals with Parkinson’s do attend, whether early stages or those affected by it through a parent, brother, uncle. Our main goal is to support companies who are helping those struggling with Parkinson’s. We also want to create awareness among those who attend the events.
I find a lot of people who attend our events, I find many more people have a connection to Parkinson’s that I would never have had known otherwise.
What would you like to see as a future goal for Putt for Parkinson’s?
We have grown our event each year. Continuing to grow our event but also create more fundraising. Through our charity we want to create additional events and expand out of only golf events. Possibility having the PGA involved. Would be another potential area of expansion.
What events do you participate in in addition to your fundraisers?
We partner with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. We took the step to team up with an incredible organization like The Michael J. Fox Foundation to fight back against Parkinson’s disease.
How does this awareness also assist the caregivers?
We have a partnership with the Parkinson’s Council see https://theparkinsoncouncil.org/ They have a lot of partnerships and have done a lot of research to find companies who raise funds for PD and the money goes to caregivers for aid like physical therapy to assist families.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
https://www.puttforparkinsons.com/ Tel: 856-912-7492 or HopeForACure2020@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/russoputtforparkinsons/
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson community, what would it be?
For the people I have met along the way and all the organizations I have worked with to just continue to fundraise, help awareness and help those in need financially whether caregivers or families struggling with Parkinson’s. I also encourage those affected to be part of the events and all the efforts will help find a cure and help individuals live a more comfortable life.