An interview with Lincoln Bode” A Journey that started with “me,” but ended in “we”
Biography
As you may have heard, my father (Hank Bode) battled with Parkinsons for nine years, before passing away on January 27, 2025. Throughout the highs and lows of those nine years, my Dad and I followed the success of the Michael J Fox Foundation (MJFF), which raises funds for Parkinson’s research. Dad really liked that 100% of the funds donated to MJFF went directly to research and that the research was taking strides to find a cure for Parkinson’s. While Dad understood the ongoing research wasn’t going to change his journey with Parkinson’s, he was adamant about continuing to raise funds and awareness of Parkinson’s for future individuals battling the disease.
My name is Lincoln Bode and I’m part of Team Fox 777 raising funds and awareness for Parkinson’s research. Born in Alabama, moved around growing up PA, MA, IL. Attended Augustana College (Rock Island, IL) where I was a Decathlete. Met my wife, Gail (Zienty), traveled to Australia and proposed on Ayers Rock. Married in ’88.
Lived overseas 17 years (England 4yr, Singapore 13yr) building international distributor operations for Videojet (industrial inkjet equipment). My father, Hank, was President of Videojet 17 years.
Please tell me a little about your background.
The youngest of 3 boys, athletic family, played football, soccer, skiing and tennis.
Lived overseas 17 years, building distributor operations for an American company (Videojet and HP). Veteran Adventure Racer (63) with more than 50 races in over 13 countries including: Himalaya 100m, Mongolia 100k, Leadville, CO. 50m and 1,000k across Vietnam.
Can you tell me more about your Advocacy?
My father, Henry J Bode (Hank), was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2016 at 82. Early signs were swallowing, speaking and dancing (hard to go backwards). He passed in Jan 2025 after a 9-year battle with the disease. He didn’t complain, he didn’t give up, he just kept moving forward.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
Participating in the World Marathon Challenge is the culmination of 3 passions: 1) endurance racing, which challenges me physically, mentally and spiritually, 2) travel to Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza (Brazil) and Miami, and 3) enjoying the comradery of other elite athletes and 4) raising money and awareness for Parkinson’s research.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when seeing your Advocacy?
They type of “goals” I’d like to express are “hope” and “love”. If you have PD then know that you are loved. The MJFF is a community built around helping and supporting you through your journey. Have hope that researchers are finding incremental advancements to a cure for PD.
One of the main things I’m learning through my MJFF community is that we are all human, we have good days and bad ones. Each of us need to have the confidence to “try”, we need to know that others are willing to help.
What type of training and how long are the programs?
In 2019 Dad and stepmom moved into Plymouth Place, La Grange Park, IL. They selected this facility, because it had programs for people with PD. My father, Hank, participated in Rock Steady Boxing, LOUD and art classes.
I still remember going to one of his Rock Steady Boxing courses. I watched in amazement as he put on his (Mohammad Ali) boxing gloves and started tapping the punching bag. As if this wasn’t enough for the 88-year-old guy, the instructor started asking him to name of capitols of the states…he went through ALL 50 states! (Ha! This is something I can’t even do when I’m not boxing!)
I say with confidence that the combination of these activities extended his quality of life.
What effect can your Advocacy have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
I’d like to pass along hope and support. Researchers through the MJFF are making progress. Be aware of the MJFF community, which is committed to finding a cure for PD.
MJFF mindset is clear, we are working hard to find a cure to eradicate PD.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your Advocacy?
My goal is the same as everyone’s on my team…to find a cure for PD. Anything I can do to provide awareness and raise funds to find a cure. Future events to raise money will be less strenuous than this, ha!
What events do you participate in?
As a member of Team Fox 777 I will be participating in the World Marathon Challenge, running 7 half marathons in 7 days across 7 continents! The race starts January 31, 2026 in Antarctica then travels to Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Brazil and finishes in Miami on February 6, 2026.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
Caregivers are amazing! They are an important part of the community.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Michael J Fox Foundation: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research | Parkinson’s Disease
Lincoln Bode Team.Fox.777 webpage: Lincoln Bode’s fundraising page for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
There are many ways to get involved depending on your passion. I am an athlete so I went through Fox Focus / Community and became a member of the Endurance Athlete Group.
In your opinion, what is the key to effective advocacy?
Enjoy what you’re doing. (Be passionate about the cause.)
Want to tell a story. (Be comfortable talking about PD.)
Make it interesting. (Offer something unique, catch their attention.)
How can we better fundraise to support a cure for Parkinson’s?
I’m to new to this to provide suggestions.
What other activities do you undertake to help improve and support your daily living Eg exercise and alternative remedies?
My father stayed active. Rock Steady Boxing, LOUD, art class! All helped extend his quality of life!
Why should people who don’t have Parkinson’s care about this?
So far, everyone I talk to knows someone who has been affected by PD.
There are over a million people in America who have Parkinson’s and that number is growing! The sooner we can find a cure, the better.
Have you had any family members or relatives affected by Parkinson’s disease?
Yes, my Dad, Hank Bode. He was identified with PD in 2016. He lived 9 years with it and passed Jan ’25, at 91 (from Pancreatic Cancer).
If you had one song that would tell us more about you or represent your life, which song would it be?
Rocky Mountain High, by John Denver.
”Hoch hoch Sie Leben”, a Bode family song, which celebrates life. It’s been passed down from generation to generation.
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
Be hopeful, thousands of people are working hard every day to find a cure for Parkinson’s.
- Be optimistic, because research has shown incremental advancements and trials that will lead to a cure.
- Be active, I truly believe that my Dad lived longer (91) because he was active.
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TogetherForSharon® In memory of my mother, Sharon to voice awareness & hope for a Parkinson’s Disease cure. Sharon’s Son, George