An interview with David Abramson from Live Harder on July 3, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
My journey with Parkinson’s began almost 4 years ago, right before COVID, when I had just turned 51 years old. My diagnosis hit me hard and I wanted to keep it to myself. But after several years, I decided enough was enough and I opened up to my family and friends. With their support, my new goal was to help raise awareness and funds for this disease and to Live Harder! As we all know, exercise is the best way to help people with PD and like most of the other PD warriors, I do my best to exercise/stay active 5-7 days a week. My business career started with the sales of office furniture and office supplies after I graduated from West Virginia University in 1991. In 2003 I joined a few partners and helped run a successful office products company for many years until the business was acquired. Currently I am running a promotional products marketing company providing swag products to corporate businesses. I grew up and currently live in Maryland with my Fiancé Melissa. I have three terrific and successful grown kids, Sydney (26) and twin boys, Justin (24) and Joey (24). My future might be unknown but until then I plan on continuing to travel and to Live Harder!
Please tell me a little about your background and what got you involved with awareness.
When I was diagnosed three and a half years ago in my early 50s, I knew I wanted to get involved in raising awareness and funds for PD, but I wasn’t sure where to start. After a lot of consideration, I decided to start my own 501(c)(3) non-profit (little did I know there were a bunch of steps, paperwork, time, energy, money, and a long waiting process before the approval). As I waited, I began to investigate different PD organizations and immediately gravitated to Team Fox/MJFF. I loved Michael, his story and what he has done for the PD community over the past 20+ years. I immediately knew Team Fox was for me and I was going to make it my mission to start my journey into fundraising to give back to Team Fox.
Can you tell me more about your Foundation?
Live Harder’s mission is to become a lifestyle brand for anyone facing a life challenge, whether it’s a disease or a downturn in life. Our goal is to inspire people to never give up, face their challenges head on and Live Harder! Through the power of our brand, we are dedicated to the development of enhanced treatments, medications, research and eventually finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. We have an online store to find your perfect Live Harder branded merchandise and help us to raise awareness and funds to find a cure! #letscurepd
In 2019, in my early 50’s, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. As my friends and family asked me “What now?” or “What’s next?”, the same thing always popped into my head – I am going to Live Harder!
To me the words “Live Harder” mean living life to the fullest, taking that extra step, and not letting life stand still. I want to do all the things that I enjoy in my life and do them now, knowing that this progressive disease will not wait for me. Combined with the clover, whose 4 leaves represent Faith, Hope, Love and Luck, the logo and the Live Harder Brand are for everyone facing a life challenge, whether it’s a disease or a downturn in life. It’s a reminder to continue living and Living Harder. Through the power of our brand my goal is to inspire people to never give up, face their challenges head on and Live Harder!
The Live Harder Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, tax-exempt organization designated by the Internal Revenue Code. When you contribute to the Foundation, you will receive a charitable tax receipt for income tax purposes. Our tax ID number is 86-2762655. We are dedicated to raising awareness and helping find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
My goal is to dedicate 85 cents of every dollar donated to ongoing and future Parkinson’s Research and 25% of the profit from your Live Harder Merchandise purchase go to:
TEAM FOX FOR PARKINSON’S RESEARCH.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
To be honest, until I heard the words, “you have Parkinson’s”, fundraising, raising awareness for a cure and donating were not something I did much or even thought about. When you or someone you know becomes diagnosed with any disease, it wakes you up and makes you rethink your life and what you can do to help others. In the past three and a half years, I have not only done my own fundraising events but have also jumped onto several other PD fundraisers and donated to other causes. I know that the more funds we can all raise, the more research can be done and the quicker we will find a cure for this progressive disease (hopefully in my lifetime)!
What effect can your Foundation have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
I hope to raise awareness and inspire PWP to Live Harder NOW! In the future I hope to be able to do more fundraisers and add more features to my website. I am not sure yet, but I would like to be able to provide more information as to what studies and trials are going on in the USA currently, giving people with PD more hope. There are thousands of research projects and trials going on in the USA that PWP have no idea about yet.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your Foundation?
More awareness, fundraisers and to make Live Harder a national name associated with PD. I would like to inspire people to never give up and live your life to the fullest!
What events do you participate in?
As I searched through different fundraising ideas, I came across a local cornhole organization that was experienced in running local non-profit events (and had done many PD events in the past). I wanted to do something fun, outside and family oriented, all while keeping the back-end expenses reasonable. My friends and I all enjoy the local Maryland wineries, so I wanted to incorporate the wineries into my fundraiser and the idea stuck. Our first cornhole event (2022) was at a local winery and turned out to be a great family fun day. We raised about $15,000 in our first year. This year 2023, we had our 2nd annual Live Harder Cornhole Fundraiser on Sunday, June 11 (at a different Maryland winery). We had another great turnout and raised over $20,000! I have also participated in other PD Fundraisers such as “Targeting a Cure” – Top Golf Fundraiser and participated in several walks in Maryland and DC to benefit PD research. I plan to spread awareness, raise funds, and do my part to help find a cure for PD soon. #letscurepd
How does the Foundation also assist the caregivers?
In the future I hope to have more news, studies, and trial information on my site for caregivers to be able to view and research.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
FB: Live Harder – https://www.facebook.com/live.harder.98
IG: Livehardernow – https://www.instagram.com/livehardernow/
Why did you name your foundation Live Harder?
When I was diagnosed, my friends and family asked me “What now?” and the same thing always popped into my head — “I am going to Live Harder”! To me, the words “Live Harder” mean living life to the fullest, taking that extra step and not letting life stand still. I want to do all the things that I enjoy in my life and do them now, knowing that this progressive disease will not wait for me.
What is one piece of advice you would give other first-time fundraisers?
The one piece of advice I would give to other first-time fundraisers is to start now (do not wait)! It takes a village and the more funds and awareness we can all raise now for research the quicker we will find a cure. #letscurepd
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
If we all can Band Together, raise awareness and funds, there will be a cure in the next 5-10 years. Until that day comes, enjoy your life, travel, explore and do the things you love now, this progressive disease will not wait for us!