The Tackling Tough Topics BLOG 23: An URGENT Need for More MORE & MORE Awareness for a Parkinson’s Cure
This blog is dedicated to all those caretakers who care for a loved one with any disease and to those who have been diagnosed. We hear you; we see you, and we will never stop fighting until there is a cure
Many may never see this. Most may scroll past it. And sadly, in today’s world, if something hasn’t affected someone personally, they often turn away.
Some might say that’s just human nature—but what if, together, we could change that? What if, instead of silence, indifference, or inaction, we stood united for a cause that affects millions?
In our society, posts about violence or viral controversies often gain millions of views, likes, and media coverage. But when it comes to awareness for something like Parkinson’s disease—something that slowly and painfully steals lives—it’s met with silence. Why? What does that say about us?
All I’m asking is for people to care. To take a moment. To listen to our stories. To understand what this fight means. Because it doesn’t take much to show compassion—and it could mean everything to someone who feels alone in their battle.
I’ve been advocating non-stop—for those living with Parkinson’s and for their caregivers. I lost my mother, Sharon, after her 18-year fight with this cruel disease. She never gave up, and she didn’t raise me to give up either.
Some have asked me, “Why not move on?” or “Why keep going?”
Because Parkinson’s took my mother—and a part of my soul with her. Because she taught me to care deeply, to fight for others, and to never stop using my voice.
We’ve raised over $80,000 for Parkinson’s foundations—to support programs, help caregivers, and fund research. I post daily. I write books. I speak. I organize. I do it because this is how I cope… and how I fight back.
But the question I keep asking is this:
How do we really get the country to listen?
How do we break through the noise and get the attention of politicians, the media, celebrities—anyone who has the power to amplify this cause?
No matter how many sleepless nights I spend missing my mom, or how many hours I pour into advocacy, I often feel like it’s not enough. Not while the number of people being diagnosed keeps rising. Not while awareness is still met with indifference.
But my mother taught me to never stop trying. She believed in standing up for what’s right, in dreaming big, in working with others to find answers.
So maybe—just maybe—you, the person reading this now, will join me.
Maybe you’ll share this. Maybe you’ll speak up too.
Because together, our voices can be louder. Stronger. Impossible to ignore.
I’m endlessly grateful to those in the Parkinson’s community who’ve stood beside me. You give me hope. You remind me why I keep going.
And to those still fighting today—you are not alone.
To the families, the caregivers, the ones grieving—I see you. I’m with you.
I won’t rest until we have answers. Until more people care.
Until we end Parkinson’s once and for all.
With love, hope, and endless gratitude,
Sharon’s Son,
George
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George’s Biography
Dr. George Ackerman is from Brooklyn, N.Y. He now resides in Florida and works in the fields of law, police, and education. George lost his mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman, on 1/1/2020 due to Parkinson’s Disease.
George wanted to honor his mother and continue to help in the Parkinson’s awareness cause, but he did not know how to bring about change. With my family, we started TogetherForSharon® to keep my mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman, ‘s memory alive and share the message of Parkinson’s Awareness and hope for a cure.
Today, https://www.togetherforsharon.com/ reaches thousands of individuals across the country to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease. George currently interviews individuals throughout the Parkinson’s community, including various foundations, caregivers, and Parkinson’s warriors, to help share their stories and causes.