The Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation
January / February 2016
PEDALING FOR PARKINSON'S CYCLE-A-THON TO FUND PARKINSON'S RESEARCH AT THE TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL NEUROSCIENCE CENTER Pedaling for Parkinson’s, a partnership among the TMH Foundation, the FSU College of Medicine and Sweat Therapy Fitness, celebrated its fourth year of cycling for a cause on November 7. This indoor fundraising four-hour cycle-a-thon at Sweat Therapy Fitness features teams of four or five cycling for approximately 30 minutes each to raise funds for Parkinson's research at the Tallahassee Memorial NeuroScience Center. Since its inception, Pedaling for Parkinson’s has raised over $45,000 for Parkinson’s research.
on how to improve their quality of life and management of daily activities related to day to day living.” Cilla Edmonston, Director of the 2015 Pedaling for Parkinson’s, continued, “The FSU College of Medicine students were very excited to participate and help organize the event this year and share the results of recent research with other students, individuals and families in the local community who are affected by this disease."
Pedaling for Parkinson’s founder is Jillianne Grayson, MD, then an FSU College of Medicine student and now completing her residency in neurology at UFHealth Shands Hospital in Gainesville. Dr. Grayson's inspiration was her late grandfather Samuel Torres and her desire to memorialize him. Dr. Grayson commented, “Our family is overjoyed that Pedaling for Parkinson’s continues to raise funds and create awareness of the importance of helping to fund research for Parkinson’s. We are thankful that the TMH Foundation, the FSU College of Medicine students and Sweat Therapy are continuing to honor my grandfather’s memory.” Sweat Therapy co-owner Brian Bibeau noted, “Sweat Therapy is thrilled to partner with the TMH Foundation and the FSU College of Medicine students to host this event to help Parkinson’s patients in the local community." Further, Sweat Therapy co-owner Kim Bibeau, added, “Sweat Therapy Fitness regularly utilizes its RealRyder cycles to help local Parkinson’s patients overcome some symptoms of the disease, and we are pleased to serve as host for the fourth annual Pedaling for Parkinson’s event.”
Local neurologist and FSU COM professor C. Gerry Mailtand, MD (fourth from the right back row) pictured with Cilla Edmonston, FSU COM student director of Pedaling for Parkinson’s (third from the left, front row) pictured with FSU COM and FSU Pre-Med student participants.
TMH Foundation Fundraising Coordinator Felicia McCoy, Sweat Therapy owners, Brian and Kim Bibeau, TMH Foundation Director of Annual Giving Judi Wills and TMH Foundation Major Gifts Officer Donna McHugh.
The event's program included a remarkably beautiful music presentation by the North Florida Parkinson’s Awareness Choir and a lecture series presenting the results of recent research conducted at TMH by FSU College of Medicine students under the direction and leadership of local neurologist and FSU College of Medicine professor C. Gerry Maitland, MD. During his lecture, Dr. Maitland explained, “The funds raised from Pedaling for Parkinson’s provides support for research studies with the FSU College of Medicine students during the summer to help individuals who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s
MAJOR SPONSORS Sweat Therapy Fitness, FSU College of Medicine, Z. W. Jarosz Architect, P.A. – Jarosz Development Corporation, Terner Family Foundation, The Balance Disorders Clinic, Hill, Spooner & Elliott, Tallahassee Neurological Clinic, Tallahassee Diagnostic Imaging, Hopping Green and Sams, Brass Tap, Madison Social, GIG - Geriatrics Interest Group and SIGN - Student Interest Group in Neurology, ETC, Sodexho, Resorts World Bimini Bahamas and Mainline Information Systems. TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM January–February 2016
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