Abingdon Knights of Columbus and Bel Air Advocate to Present $3,100 Check to Parkinson’s Charity Tonight

All Proceeds Benefitted Parkinson’s Disease Foundation

The Knights of Columbus, Father Maurice J. Wolfe Council 11372, in Abingdon, MD, will present a $3,100 donation to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) in a ceremony tonight at 7:30 PM at Knights Hall in St. Francis De Sales Church on 1450 Abingdon Road. The funds were raised through a benefit dinner held last month in honor of one of its members.

The local Knights of Columbus council, including organizer Jeff Gutowski, were inspired to host the benefit in honor of a fellow member who lives with Parkinson’s disease. Last month, at the benefit dinner, Cliff Ishmael of Bel Air, MD, a Research Advocate with the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, was invited to speak to more than 70 guests about the disease.

“Cliff did a great job in his talk bringing the disease down to a real level. It was important for us to not only raise funds but help spread awareness, as many people may not realize the struggles that people with Parkinson’s have and the ways they can help make a difference,” said Mr. Gutowski.

The dinner raised funds through a silent auction and casino games. On Monday, the council will present the check to Mr. Ishmael as a representative of the foundation, making the council one of the organization’s “PDF Champions,” or grassroots fundraisers. The ceremony takes place just as the community is gearing up for April’s Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

PDF President Robin Elliott added, “We are grateful for the efforts of the Knights of Columbus and Mr. Ishmael to not only raise funds, but also to raise awareness of what it means to live with Parkinson’s disease. In our minds, this makes the members of the Father Maurice J. Wolfe Council 11372, true Champions in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.”

For more information on Parkinson’s disease or getting involved, contact the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation at (800) 457-6676, info@pdf.org or www.pdf.org.

 
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly one million people in the US.  Although promising research is being conducted, there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease.

About the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation
The Parkinson's Disease Foundation® (PDF®) is a leading national presence in Parkinson's disease research, education and public advocacy.  PDF is working for the nearly one million people in the US who live with Parkinson's disease by funding promising scientific research while supporting people living with Parkinson's through educational programs and services.  Since its founding in 1957, PDF has dedicated over $100 million to fund the work of leading scientists throughout the world and over $42 million to support national education and advocacy programs.