Rowing Team Completes 2,800 Mile Journey to Raise Funds for Parkinson’s Research

Michael J. Fox Foundation

After 41 days at sea, Team Human Powered Potential landed in Hawaii.¹ The rowing crew began its journey 2,800 miles away in Monterey Bay, California, and completed its trip at Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii.

The team is raising money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and has so far raised more than $28 million. In response, the team has raised its goal to $41 million. The team includes Patrick Morrissey, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

In a press release, Morrissey stated, “Just as the ocean brings unexpected challenges like sudden storms or rogue waves, Parkinson's adds unpredictable stresses in different environments. As a team, we were able to manage despite the obstacles we faced on the water. I hope to inspire at least one person to be able to endure and then they inspire another person, and it continues. This team, the Parkinson's community, my family and friends inspired me to endure. We're all one big team."

The crew began its journey back in early June. At the time, Morrissey said, “I hope I am an inspiration to others. I will be the first person to row across the Pacific with Parkinson's and that accomplishment will help the Parkinson's community understand that we can do anything, together."²

In the same press release, Michael J. Fox said, “Parkinson's patients are experts on endurance. We endure every day to do the things we need to do with the limitations and setbacks we have. So, when people do things like this, it's such an act of solidarity, understanding and support. We have a lot of experience of people doing some amazing things for Parkinson's research. We've had people climb extraordinary mountains and run ultra-marathons—but this is a first. Brendan, Scott, Peter and Pat, thank you. We're sending out our love, support, admiration and all good wishes."

In May, The Michael J. Fox Foundation announced that it granted $9.75 million in funding for research focused on identifying biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease.³

In a press release, the foundation’s chief mission officer Todd Sherer, PhD, said, “Our Foundation exists to accelerate the development of better treatments for people with Parkinson's, and better treatments come from better clinical trials. Quantitative biomarkers would empower these trials in a significant way, giving us our best view yet of a treatment's efficacy. The projects announced today aim to fast-track clinical trial science to move us meaningfully closer to our goal of curing Parkinson's disease."

The foundation also celebrated the passing of the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act in May, which was passed by both the House and the Senate.⁴

In a press release issued at the time, Fox said, “When we started the Foundation, we could only dream of the breakthroughs the Parkinson's community has experienced over the last year, from the discovery of a biomarker to the federal government advancing a plan to end Parkinson's. Today, I'm endlessly thankful to everyone who has carried the load to get us here — advocates, scientists, patients, families, clinicians, caregivers and legislators, especially the bill's lead sponsors Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Chris Murphy and Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Paul Tonko as well as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Representative Jennifer Wexton. A National Plan to End Parkinson's is a historic opportunity to accelerate our search for cures, and now is the time. The Foundation stands ready to partner with our national leaders to bring the Plan to life and make today's generation of patients the last to live with Parkinson's as we know it."

Sources

1. Rowers Complete Record-breaking 2,800-mile Open Ocean Row to Benefit Michael J. Fox Foundation, Increase Fundraising Goal to $41 Million. The Michael J. Fox Foundation. August 2, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rowers-complete-record-breaking-2-800-mile-open-ocean-row-to-benefit-michael-j-fox-foundation-increase-fundraising-goal-to-41-million-302213365.html
2. Four Open-Ocean Rowers Embark On 2,800 Mile Cross-Pacific Journey for The Michael J. Fox Foundation and Inspire "Summer Challenge" with an Unprecedented 3:1 Donation Match. The Michael J. Fox. June 5, 2024. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/four-open-ocean-rowers-embark-on-2-800-mile-cross-pacific-journey-for-the-michael-j-fox-foundation-and-inspire-summer-challenge-with-an-unprecedented-31-donation-match-302164181.html
3. Michael J. Fox Foundation Funds Projects to Speed Development of Quantitative Biomarkers for Parkinson's Disease. The Michael J. Fox Foundation. May 30, 2024. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/michael-j-fox-foundation-funds-projects-to-speed-development-of-quantitative-biomarkers-for-parkinsons-disease-302159424.html
4. The Michael J. Fox Foundation Applauds Passage of National Plan to End Parkinson's Act in Congress. The Michael J. Fox Foundation. May 23, 2024. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-michael-j-fox-foundation-applauds-passage-of-national-plan-to-end-parkinsons-act-in-congress-302154789.html