An interview with Rose & Chris Babcock from Pints 4 PD Orlando & the MJFF on July 19, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
Pints for PD Orlando is an annual Team Fox event to raise money for the Michael J Fox Foundation held.
In 2014, after years of quiet speech and shuffling feet, Rose’s dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Being a Physical Therapist, Rose immediately started researching treatment plans, and was surprised to find so many of these treatments were partially funded by The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease. That’s when she learned that Team Fox – the grassroots fundraising side of MJFF – has events across the country. Fast forward to October of 2015 when Rose and her husband Chris launched the first edition of Pints For Parkinson’s Orlando.
At that event, Chris’ parents learned of some other symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease . . . which matched up to what his mom was experiencing. A few months later, Chris joined Rose with having a parent with Parkinson’s.
Please tell me a little about your background.
It all started with Chris and Rose Babcock. After Rose’s father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, she discovered Team Fox and decided to join the team for a local marathon. “When we arrived at the pre-race dinner, we didn’t know anyone. By the end of the night, we had 50 new friends!” says Rose. Fast forward a year later, Chris’s mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s as the couple was training for the NYC Marathon. “We very much have a vested interest in finding more effective treatments and ultimately a cure,” says Chris. In 2015, they hosted their first Pints for Parkinson’s Orlando.
Can you tell me more about your organization?
100% of the $89,262 we have raised at our annual brewfest benefits Team Fox. Whether you are sampling one of our festival brews or checking your raffle tickets to see if you one of the countless gift baskets, you are directly helping fund research into a disease that 6 million people worldwide are living with, and 60,000 more are diagnosed with every year.
A fellow beer lover, Laurel Gladden’s husband — who also brews his own beer at home — was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013. After some research, Laurel learned about Pints for Parkinson’s fundraising events in Louisville and Orlando. “That led me to Team Fox and the exciting ability to raise funds on a grassroots level,” she says. “It’s so empowering.” The first Pints for Parkinson’s New Mexico was in 2018.
In Minnesota, Kimberly Thiel was introduced to Team Fox through the Chicago Marathon in 2015, which she ran in honor of her father. “After forming relationships with people at the race, I knew that Team Fox was a place I belonged and needed to be,” she says. Shortly after, she read about the Orlando Pints for Parkinson’s event and immediately reached out to Rose and Chris. They offered their ideas and advice and in 2019, Pints for Parkinson’s Minnesota became a reality.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
Rose and Chris Babcock of Orlando, Florida share a commitment to speeding a cure for Parkinson’s and a love of a good pint. Since 2015, Pint for Parkinson’s events have raised over $15,000 to benefit Team Fox and The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with Pints 4 PD?
From pint parties to races and pancake breakfasts, there are many ways to get involved with Team Fox!
Gain entry into a sponsored athletic race or create your very own event by visiting teamfox.org today.
Contact https://www.michaeljfox.org/be-fundraiser-0 for more info.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your programs?
I still plan to host Pints for Parkinson’s Minnesota in some way, shape or form. There will be virtual components, and perhaps additional ways to support the local breweries and businesses. No matter what, there will be beer, fun and funds raised to help find a cure!
What events do you participate in?
Pints for Parkinson’s Orlando Beerfest.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
Provides funding and support for those going through Parkinson’s disease.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Pints4PDOrlando
https://give.michaeljfox.org/campaign/2023-pints-for-parkinsons/c461846
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
Whenever we meet someone newly diagnosed, it is easy to squirrel yourself away but the best thing to do is reach out and you will find how many people are out there to support you. Just talk to people.
References
Michael J. Fox Foundation (2017) How One Couple Is Uniting Their Community, One Pint at a Time Retrieved from https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/how-one-couple-uniting-their-community-one-pint-time
Manthey, S. (2020). Michael J. Fox Foundation: Cheers to Pints for Parkinson’s! From Florida to New Mexico to Minnesota and Beyond Retrieved from https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/cheers-pints-parkinsons-florida-new-mexico-minnesota-and-beyond