Welcome to May 2026… - Together For Sharon

Welcome to May 2026…thank you for your support! Please share and ask others to subscribe. No one is alone in this fight for a cure! Together our voices are so much stronger!

TogetherForSharon® In memory of my Mother, Sharon to voice awareness & hope for a PD cure.

Please support us https://www.togetherforsharon.com/shop/ proceeds can go to you or your organization with a specific code we can create together.

PBS Special on Brain Health, Segment with TogetherForSharon®

Thank you PBS https://togetherforsharon.com/pbs-special-on-brain-health/

My wife, Grether, and I recently had the honor of being interviewed for an upcoming special television program on health and the brain. During the interview, we shared our journey as caregivers, my mother Sharon’s courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease, and the advocacy work that continues to drive us today.

It was an incredibly meaningful experience. Reflecting on my mother’s journey brought me to tears — remembering the moments we cherish, and the ones Parkinson’s has taken from us far too soon.

We spoke about the power of support, unconditional love, and the ongoing fight for every individual and family facing Parkinson’s around the world. No family should have to endure what ours did. No one battling this disease should ever feel alone. That belief fuels us every single day.

In memory of my mother, Sharon, we will not stop until there is a cure. Until that day comes, we will continue fighting — 24/7 — for those living with Parkinson’s and for the families who stand beside them.

You are not alone. We miss you, Mom.

Stay tuned — we look forward to sharing the program once it is released.

A sit-down Conversation with CEO Debi Brooks, The Michael J. Fox Foundation

Q & A with Sharon’s son, George. Episode 367 Special Guest: CEO Debi Brooks, The Michael J. Fox Foundation https://youtu.be/YTbDd29yYnA

Deborah W. Brooks is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Founder of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). Ms. Brooks launched MJFF with Michael J. Fox in 2000 and served as founding CEO until 2007. Since then, she served as Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, overseeing the fundraising and marketing functions of the organization. Ms. Brooks stepped back into the role of CEO in May 2021 to lead the Foundation to an even stronger and more influential position in the Parkinson’s community.

With a background in business and finance, she brings strategic leadership, business acumen and an entrepreneurial approach to the Foundation, which has grown rapidly from a start-up to the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research.

As Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Brooks sets the strategic vision for the Foundation. She is supported in this effort by Chief Mission Officer Todd Sherer, PhD, Chief Program Officer Sohini Chowdhury and the Foundation’s executive team. Together they work to articulate and realize the vision of MJFF as an unprecedented stakeholder in drug development — a nimble, resourceful, patient-focused problem-solver whose efforts are demonstrably accelerating progress toward treatment breakthroughs and a cure.

A Silver Anniversary Milestone: MJFF Raises Over $1M in Palm Beach

Dr George & Grether Ackerman were pictured in the NY Social Diary supporting the Michael J. Fox Foudnation.

https://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/a-silver-anniversary-milestone-mjff-raises-nearly-1m-in-palm-beach/

The Parkinson’s Policy Forum 2026

Thank you—truly, thank you—to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, APDA, Parkinson’s Foundation, PMD Alliance, every advocate who attended, and every individual in this powerful community across the country.

_____________________

Dan Feehan , The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Chief Policy and Government Affairs Officer

Sara Whittingham

Esther Labib-Kiyarash and Mark Milow

Leslie Chambers President and CEO of the American Parkinson Disease Association

Marie Spivey, Freddie Roach Training, Inc. & Wild Card boxing, Inc.

John Gabriel, Former General Manager, Orlando Magic, NBA

Caroline Tanner, MD, PhD

Dr. Deborah Cory-Slechta

John L. Lehr, President and CEO of the Parkinson’s Foundation

The TogetherForSharon® Podcast- Please leave a review.

Sending love and support always! I hope the podcast reaches a global audience, especially with the inspiring and incredible guests we have lined up for 2026 and beyond. The show wouldn’t exist without your support, and I’m truly grateful for it.

Please leave a review at https://www.facebook.com/thetogetherforsharonpodcast

NEW PODCAST LAUNCH!

The Parkinson’s Policy Podcast: Episode 4. Special Guest: Senator Devlin Robinson, Pennsylvania’s 37th District Serving Allegheny County https://youtu.be/3w-erlAlhGE

Hosts Dr. George Ackerman, Sharon’s Son and founder of TogetherForSharon®, with Co-Host, Margaret Preston, President of Power Over Parkinson’s.

…where we advocate together to raise awareness and advance meaningful policy for the Parkinson’s community.

From Washington, DC, at the U.S. Capitol and beyond, we bring together Senators, Representatives, researchers, and advocates to amplify the voices of people living with Parkinson’s disease.

NOW AVAILABLE!

Children’s book on our children’s journey with their Grandma Sharon’s battle with PD….

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New Children’s Book Offers Hope, Understanding, and Love for Families Living with Parkinson’s Disease

https://togetherforsharon.com/i-love-you-grandma-sharon-brooke-and-grandmas-days-with-parkinsons/

After my mother Sharon passed due to Parkinson’s Disease a piece of my heart was forever broken. As I began advocating for others battling her memory, I noticed several important topics I felt there was a lack of awareness for. I accomplished those and my final difficulty was and still is explaining what happened to my mother to our children. I embarked on this Children’s book from my daughter’s journey to help children cope and understand that it is okay to discuss feelings and loss as well as symptoms they saw in their grandmother but to also never forget the memories we shared together.

Screenshot

Our book is now IIBA AWARD WINNING thanks to your support!

Policing and Parkinson’s Disease: Encounters, Training, and the Need for Awareness

Dedicated to the entire law enforcement community and Parkinson’s community because we are in this fight together for awareness and hope for a cure. To order your copy https://togetherforsharon.com/policing-and-parkinsons-disease-encounters-training-and-the-need-for-awareness/

Parkinson’s Foundation

Our Family donated to the Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day Palm Beach today, $500.00. Please join us at https://secure.parkinson.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=7247&team_id=91741&s_locale=en_US

Over the past 6 years since my mother Sharon passed due to PD we have donated over 6,000$ to the PF.

Help the Parkinson’s Foundation provide better care, resources and research for the one million people living with Parkinson’s and the nearly 90,000 people who will be diagnosed this year.

BLOG?

Interested in writing a BLOG? Let’s Team up to Advocate for a PD Cure!

I am seeking the Parkinson’s Community, Medical field, Caregivers and all to see if you would be interested in writing a BLOG for our monthly blogs. Please see

https://www.togetherforsharon.com/parkinsons-blogs/

and reach out if ever interested! You would be able to pick the topic! This would highlight important topics in the PD community, globally and to advocate together!

A Son’s Journey from Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver to Advocate: In Memory of My Mother Sharon. Order your copy here https://www.togetherforsharon.com/product/a-sons-journey-from-parkinsons-disease-caretaker-to-advocate/

A new Show “On the Virtual Road”

Q and A with Sharon’s son: On the Virtual Road Episode 4: Power Over Parkinson’s: Educational Event: Parkinson’s Gait 101 with Margaret Preston, President of Power Over Parkinson’s & Bonnie Mahl from the VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Center

https://youtu.be/puD_9QjYAqc

PD WARRIORS AND CELEBRITY MESSAGES OF HOPE!

See https://togetherforsharon.com/pd-warriors-celebrities/

A message from Freddie Roach to Sharon’s son, George for the Parkinson’s Community.

Freddie Roach is an American boxing trainer and former professional boxer, widely regarded as one of the greatest trainers in the sport’s history. He is best known as the longtime coach of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. Over the years, Roach has trained numerous elite fighters, including five-time, four-division world champion Miguel Cotto; former WBC middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr.; three-time world champion James Toney; and former UFC middleweight and two-time welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. He has also worked with top contenders such as Jose Benavidez, Peter Quillin, and Vanes Martirosyan, as well as two-time women’s world champion Lucia Rijker and former light welterweight champion Amir Khan.

https://youtube.com/shorts/yiW-H8Si6-w

Please share and join us on a new Channel!!! Parkinson’s Connection YouTube

Welcome to a community of advocates, people with Parkinson’s and communities across the world for awareness & hope for a cure! https://www.youtube.com/@TheParkinsonsConnection

OUR LATEST SHOWS

The togetherforsharon Podcast

Hosted by Sharon’s daughter in law, Grether & Sharon’s Son, George for awareness, hope for a cure & to share inspiring journeys, advocacy, and support throughout the world.

https://www.togetherforsharon.com/podcast-interviews/

Q & A with Sharon’s son, George – Podcast

A one-on-one question and answer show Hosted by Sharon’s Son, George for awareness, hope for a cure & to share inspiring journeys, advocacy, and support throughout the world.

See seasons 1 to 4 (Over 400 shows) Scientists, Researchers, PwP, Celebrities, Advocates and so much more!

https://www.togetherforsharon.com/qa-with-sharons-son-george/

https://www.togetherforsharon.com/qa-with-sharons-son-george-season-2/

https://www.togetherforsharon.com/qa-with-sharons-son-george-season-3/

https://www.togetherforsharon.com/qa-with-sharons-son-george-season-4/

Latest Episodes:

Q & A with Sharon’s son, George. Episode 75: Special Guest CEO Andrea Merriam PMD Alliance https://youtu.be/gSgpx9SaagQ

Q & A with Sharon’s son, George. Episode 144 Special Guest Ryan Cotton CEO Rock Steady Boxing Inc https://youtu.be/bWKKlsynjxI

Q & A with Sharon’s son, George. Episode 305 Special Guest: Leslie A. Chambers President and CEO of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA). https://youtu.be/C447RRbLpcc

Q & A with Sharon’s son, George. Episode 367 Special Guest: CEO Debi Brooks, The Michael J. Fox Foundation https://youtu.be/YTbDd29yYnA

Q & A with Sharon’s son, George. Episode 195: Special Guest Parkinson’s Foundation President & Chief Executive Officer John L. Lehr https://youtu.be/-3-fvGurS7A

Q & A with Sharon’s son, George. Episode 209: Special Guest Olivia Nassaris CEO, Parkinson’s Australia – Advocacy Down Under https://youtu.be/IGpaxk3J0Js

A NEW BLOG:

The Tackling Tough Topics BLOG at https://togetherforsharon.com/tackling-tough-topics/

All-Star PD Sports Cast- NEW EPSIODE! where we discuss Sports and slowing the progression of PD with guests, interviews, information and advocating together! See https://www.togetherforsharon.com/all-star-pd-sports-cast/

Share your journey or if you know of an inspiring journey in the Parkinson’s community share this link https://www.togetherforsharon.com/interview-index/

NATIONAL FUNDRAISING

Michael J. Fox Foundation https://give.michaeljfox.org/fundraiser/5978652

Drive Toward a Cure https://www.drivetowardacure.org/fundraising/togetherforsharon

Power Over Parkinson’s https://www.poweroverpd.org/together-for-sharon

American Parkinson’s Disease Association https://apdaparkinson.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=38181

Parkinson’s Foundation https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/TR?team_id=84653&fr_id=6096&pg=team&s_locale=en_US

Indiana Parkinson Foundation
https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/y33vl7

A photo from the Children’s Book I LOVE YOU, GRANDMA SHARON!: Their Journey from a Child’s perspective… Brooke and Grandma’s Days with Parkinson’s.

DONATIONS:

We have almost raised $66,000 in memory of mom for Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure! Support mom through these various Foundations including the APDA, Michael J. Fox/Team Fox, Drive Towards a Cure, Parkinson’s Foundation and Power Over Parkinson’s

Join us at https://www.togetherforsharon.com/donations-fundraising/

Please see our latest WRITTEN interviews & Podcasts with Parkinson’s fighters, Foundations & leaders in the community around the world! https://togetherforsharon.com/interview-index/

Written Interviews:

An interview with Maria Andreou: Blessing Through Pain…… https://togetherforsharon.com/maria-andreou/

An interview with Claudia Alvarez, The Curious Neuroscientist with a Multi-dimensional Perspective https://togetherforsharon.com/claudia-alvarez/

An interview with Sarah Frow, The Athlete within: Fighting Parkinson’s with Exercise as my Medicine https://togetherforsharon.com/sarah-frow/

An interview with Scott Hickman, Parkinson’s and the Invisible Man https://togetherforsharon.com/scott-hickman/

An interview with Jason and Angie Gooding, Beyond the Brochures https://togetherforsharon.com/jason-and-angie-gooding/

AN “IN MEMORY” INTERVIEW, IN MEMORY OF ALL THOSE WHO LOST THEIR PD BATTLE… WE NEVER FORGET.

In memory of all those who lost their battle with Parkinson’s and the caregivers who keep their memory alive forever. Their voices will live on! https://www.togetherforsharon.com/in-memory/

Sharon’s son George & Mr. Michael J. Fox. What an honor to meet my hero and inspiration and he wore our togetherforsharon band in memory of mom! Thank you, Mr. Fox.

You can now SHOP for books, Mugs and Bands at https://www.togetherforsharon.com/shop/

We are BANDING together! JOIN US!

Support us at

VIDEOS Learn more about Together for Sharon at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIeBLOelhaLQNvgeNMzu-5g

Latest Resources! See the latest resources of incredible organizations throughout the world for Parkinson’s awareness! https://www.togetherforsharon.com/partnerships/#partnerships-parkinsons

We are all TOGETHER in this fight for awareness and a cure! -If you are interested in sharing your journey or know someone who is, email us 24/7! Thank you always for your support, love, and care!

Social media links… See you there!