When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I had two choices — let the disease define me or take action. I’ve always believed in the power of community, so instead of simply accepting my diagnosis, I turned it into a mission. One of my first steps was joining the Parkinson’s Progression Marker's Initiative in 2012 because I knew research was the key to progress. Being part of that study opened my eyes to how critical funding is in the search for better treatments — and ultimately, a cure. I didn’t just want to hope for change; I wanted to help make it happen.

In 2016, I took that passion a step further and, with the support of family and friends, started Team Fox Detroit. What began as a small effort to raise money and awareness quickly grew into something much bigger. Friends, family and even people I had never met before rallied around the cause, proving just how strong and generous this community is. Since then, Team Fox Detroit has grown beyond anything I could have imagined. We’ve hosted research salons, golf outings, bowling fundraisers, galas, raffles and countless other community-driven events.

But for me, fundraising has never just been about collecting donations — it’s about bringing people together, making them feel seen and giving them a sense of purpose in something bigger than themselves. As women, we are natural nurturers, caregivers and fierce advocates — not just for our families, but for our communities and the causes we believe in. That belief has shaped my entire approach to fundraising. Whether as wives, mothers, daughters or friends, we instinctively help others, offering a kind word, an open heart or the strength to keep going. That same energy fuels my work with Team Fox Detroit — creating a space where people feel heard, empowered and connected.

Women’s History Month is a time to recognize the resilience and impact of women — not just in history, but in our daily lives. So many of the women who have shaped history didn’t wait for permission; they led with passion, determination and an unshakable belief in making a difference. I see that same spirit in the women of Team Fox Detroit — the ones who pour their hearts into organizing events, sharing their personal journeys with Parkinson’s or standing by a loved one facing the disease. They remind me that we are strongest when we come together, when we use our voices and when we lift each other up.

To be part of this legacy — to work alongside women who refuse to let Parkinson’s define them, who choose to fundraise, advocate and push for a cure — is an honor. More than anything, I want women to feel empowered to take action, use their voices and remove the stigma that sometimes surrounds Parkinson’s. There is strength in speaking up, in sharing our experiences and in showing the world that we are more than our diagnosis.

If I can inspire even one woman to start her own fundraiser, support a cause she believes in or simply advocate for herself and others, then all of this is worth it. Because when women come together with purpose and passion, we don’t just create change — we lead it.

I want to express my deepest gratitude — to everyone who has supported Team Fox Detroit, to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for leading the charge and to every person who has ever believed in the power of community and the urgency of finding a cure.

Parkinson’s may be a part of my life, but it does not define me. Instead, it has given me a mission, a purpose and an incredible network of people who are fighting for something bigger than themselves. This journey is about more than fundraising; it’s about hope, action and never settling for anything less than a world without Parkinson’s. And that is truly something to celebrate.