Why We Started the Parkinson’s Wellness Fund and Why It Matters More Than Ever By Russell Meyerowitz, Co-Founder

Twenty-three years ago, my father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I was 15—the youngest of three siblings—and I remember vividly how, for the first nine years, the diagnosis was bottled on the shelf in silence. No one outside of our immediate family knew about his diagnosis. Like so many others, we were living with Parkinson’s behind closed doors. About seven years into his diagnosis, I found myself needing an outlet. I didn’t know much about the nonprofit world, the Parkinson’s community, or the medical space—but I knew I wanted to make a difference. That’s when the seed for the Parkinson’s Wellness Fund (PWF) was planted.

The First Aha Moment

The starting point was as follows - host athletic events, build community, raise funds and donate to research. A path and a plan of attack that still holds true for so many. And then everything changed. I’ll never forget one of my first meetings with a well-known research institute in San Diego. It was eye-opening and educational. But two days later, I received an email advising me not to donate a single dollar to that very institute. That moment shook me. It made me question everything. Why would someone say that? That question led me on a deep discovery journey. I began digging deeper into the Parkinson’s landscape nationwide and quickly learned there were more than 45 organizations across the country all primarily focused on Parkinson’s research and the pursuit for a cure. That’s when I pulled the emergency handbreak on our plan and began going deeper and deeper into our research directly with families and providers in the community. Our north star was to ensure people received help, today and that meeting made us stop to ensure our plan would lead us on a road to doing exactly that. Fifteen years later, despite billions (yes, billions with a “b”) raised for a cure, diagnoses of neurodegenerative diseases are climbing faster than ever. And for those living with Parkinson’s? Well, they’re still waiting.

Filling the Gap: The Birth of the Parkinson’s Wellness Fund

What I realized was this: there was a massive gap in the Parkinson’s community. While research is vital, far too many individuals and families living with Parkinson’s today are being overlooked. That’s why we founded the Parkinson’s Wellness Fund—a national nonprofit providing immediate relief to people with Parkinson’s through micro grants. So often, the conversation around Parkinson’s is focused on a cure, but the reality is that people need help now. Access to therapies, treatments, and essential resources make a life-changing difference, yet financial barriers prevent too many from getting the care they need. We’re breaking down those barriers and ensuring those living with Parkinson’s don’t have to wait for someday—they can live well today.

What a Micro Grant Can Do

Micro grants are designed to meet urgent, real-life needs. They help people access: Transportation to medical appointments Walkers, wheelchairs, and other assistive devices Home modifications like grab bars and non-slip mats in order to prevent falls and prevent having to be moved to living facilities Physical therapy, speech therapy, and fitness classes (including boxing!) Medication support Home care assistance and supplies Adaptive clothing Complementary care like chiropractic and acupuncture For those living with Parkinson’s these are not luxury items—they are lifelines for families doing their best to navigate a chronic, complex illness. And every grant is paid directly to the service provider, ensuring accountability and follow-through.

More Than a Grant: A Ripple Effect

We’ve found that when a grant is awarded, it doesn’t just help the individual—it reactivates their entire support system. Too often, friends and extended family pull away, not out of apathy, but because they simply don’t know how to help. But when they see a $75 grant helping Mom attend a monthly boxing class—where she finds community, purpose, and strength—it clicks. That small act of support can unlock a wave of involvement and compassion from people who were previously unsure of how to show up. This ripple effect is powerful.

Navigating the Journey Together

Beyond grants, we offer patient navigation—connecting families to providers, helping them understand their options, and guiding them through what often feels like a maze of decisions. We don’t just provide resources—we walk with people through the storm.

What’s Next—and How You Can Help

While we will continue to run very lean, we can’t do it alone. Here are a few ways to get involved:

• Join us on June 24th for our 14th Annual Play for Parkinson’s Golf Tournament Hosted By: JDM Funding Corporation in Moorpark, California
• Sign up for PWF United, our peer-to-peer fundraising team for anyone walking, running, or racing a triathlon with purpose
• Listen to our podcast, Why I Rise, where we spotlight powerful stories and conversations about living fully with Parkinson’s today

My Final Ask

We all want a cure. But in that pursuit, we cannot forget about the people who need help now.

Let’s support people in the present moment, so they can live better lives now. Let’s think differently.

Let’s act differently.

Let’s rise—together and instead of pouring the majority of resources into the possible unknown solution, let’s put it towards the incredible solutions that are right here, right now. 

I welcome the opportunity to connect directly with you - russell@parkinsonswellnessfund.org.

Russell Meyerowitz, Co-Founder