You have friends, you have family, and then you have the friends who become family.
That is why I am walking on April 25th in the SoCal Ride/Walk for Parkinson’s.
I am walking for my dear friend Stephanie, who has been living with early onset Parkinson’s for more than 10 years with courage and strength.
Stephanie and I became friends over 40 years ago, and somewhere along the way, she became family. We have been there for each other through so many parts of life, the big moments, the hard moments, and all the in-between moments too.
When someone you love is facing something like this, you show up. You do what you can. This is one of the ways I can show up for Stephanie, for her family, and for everyone living with Parkinson’s every day.
I set my fundraising goal at $1,800 because that number has special meaning to me. In Judaism, the number 18 symbolizes life, or “chai.” Giving in multiples of 18, like $18, $36, $54, or $180, is a meaningful way to honor life, hope, and caring for others.
If you are able, please donate. Any amount helps, and I am truly grateful for your support.
XO ~
Cindy
SoCal Ride/Walk for Parkinson's
Dear Participant,
There is no known cure for Parkinson's disease. But through your support of SoCal Ride?Walk for Parkinson's on April 25, 2026, you will be able to help change that!
BACKGROUND
Fifteen years ago, my wife, Karen, was diagnosed with Parkinson's. I didn't know much about it. The only knowledge that I had was that I use to work for a man while I was in college that had the disease. My wife and I started going to events on Parkinson's and found out that exercise is the best 'cure' for the disease. We work out three times a week now with people that have PD. Even though I don't have the disease, I find the people that we work out with are the most genuine, funny people that I have every met. There is never any grumbling or complaining. But I can't imagine living with something that has no known cure.
Our purpose is to raise funds in support of Team Fox/The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) to accelerate research and treatments for Parkinson’s disease. Every penny donated will go straight to the Team Fox/MJFF high-impact research programs to help speed a cure for Parkinson's disease.
As with many good deeds, the SoCal Ride for Parkinson’s began as a "labor of love" at the local grass roots level. Bob Lear, the founder and retired high school teacher, wanted to support his wife in her journey fighting Parkinson’s disease.
The first ride was held in 2018 when Bob decided that “standing on the sidelines” and doing nothing was not acceptable. He decided to channel his passion and interest for biking into positive action by raising funds for Parkinson’s research. He understood that by attracting more riders and getting corporate sponsorships it would help build awareness and a community of people that could help with Parkinson's patients on their journey. Since that time in 2018, with 60 participants and raising $5000.00, the event now has Hoag Hospital as the Host of the event, 788 participants and, last year, raised over $388,000 for Parkiinson's research. In eight years we have raised $1,188,000.00. WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS AND EVERY PENNY GOES TO TEAM FOX FOR PARKINSON'S RESERACH!
MISSION
The SoCal Ride for Parkinson’s mission, is to increase awareness of the Parkinson's condition in the greater Southwest community and raise research funds on behalf of theTeam Fox/Michael J. Fox Foundation. This will be accomplished by hosting an annual biking/walking/running event that supports well-being and fellowship with all participants.
Please direct any inquiries regarding participation or donation to Bob Lear (949) 500-3024, Brian McGuire (714) 697-7963, Marty Furman (714) 624-7560, Eliot Dratch (949) 304-8804, or Brad Pierce at (310) 261-1669, or visit our website: www.socalride.net Make checks payable to SoCal Ride for Parkinson's Foundation, 2501 E. 16th Street, Unit I, Newport Beach, CA 92663. Tax ID 84-4136875. SoCal Ride for Parkinson's Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 Corporation.
Our purpose is to raise funds in support of The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) to accelerate research and treatments for Parkinson’s disease. Every penny donated will go straight to the MJFF high-impact research programs to help speed a cure for Parkinson's disease.
BACKGROUND
As with many good deeds, the SoCal Ride for Parkinson’s began as a "labor of love" at a local grass roots level. Bob Lear, the founder and retired high school teacher, wanted to support his wife in her journey fighting Parkinson’s disease.
The first ride was held in 2018 at the Cyclist in Costa Mesa. Bob decided that “standing on the sidelines” and doing nothing to help his wife was not acceptable. He decided to channel his passion and interest for biking into positive action by raising funds for Parkinson’s research. He understood that by attracting more riders and getting corporate sponsorships would help build the momentum to bring awareness and to build a community to help find a cure for Parkinson's. Since that time the ride has grown from 60 riders and raising $5000 in 2018 to 788 participants in 2025, and raised $388,000 for Parkinson's reserach. In eight years, SoCal Ride/Walk for Parkinson's has raised $1,188,000.00 for Team Fox/Michael J Fox Foundation. In 2021, Hoag Hospital hosted the ride at their Hoag Health Center in Irvine and a walk was added for those individuals and families that did not feel comfortable on a bike. Today there are three different bike routes to chose from and a 3 and 5 K walk. In 2024, SoCal Ride/Walk was the third largest Team Fox Fundraiser in the United States.
MISSION
The SoCal Ride/Walk for Parkinson’s mission is to increase awareness of the Parkinson's condition in the greater Southwest community (we have participants from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, St. George, Salt Lake City, Vancouver and further east, Virginia Beach, New York, Miami, and Cleveland) and raise research funds on behalf of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. This will be accomplished by hosting an annual biking/walking/running event that supports well-being and fellowship with all participants.
Please direct any inquiries regarding participation or donations to Bob Lear (949) 847-8480, Marty Furman (714) 624-7560, or visit our website: www.socalride.net Tax ID 84-4136875
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