A New Beginning for Parkinson’s in a Non-Profit Organization

“Don’t be afraid of change, because it is leading you to a new beginning.” Joyce Meyer

“The process of change is made up of subtraction and addition. Taking something off and then putting something on.” Creflo A. Dollar

Introduction: The idea behind starting a non-profit organization began as a simple thought a few years ago. Clueless, I was about how to proceed. I attended an entrepreneurial workshop on campus, met some people, and then talked to some other people, and voila, the idea was born.

Last year, with the fantastic help of two 3rd year law students from UNC-CH, we set up the groundwork with the State of North Carolina and then with the Federal Government. They knew how to do everything; we wrote bylaws and other documents. It was an education. It took about a month for the approval to come through the State of NC. It took almost a year for the USA to give its seal of approval that we had set up correctly a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Starting a New Non-Profit Organization: And now we have a website for the Foundation, namely, https://frankcchurch.org/ and we have a name, “Frank C. Church Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease.”

Mission Statement for this Parkinson’s Foundation: “To improve the quality of life for those with Parkinson’s disease and other brain disorders, support student training in the neurosciences, provide educational help and life-skills advice, and increase awareness of neurodegenerative brain diseases.”

The Purpose for This Parkinson’s Foundation is Based on These Goals:

• Generate scholarships and fellowships for health care-directed students to participate in either clinical or basic research settings studying Parkinson’s.

• Offer guidance on exercise, nutrition, mind-body meditation, and Integrative Medicine and Health Therapy to help you best manage Parkinson’s.

• Provide education/support to enable you to understand Parkinson’s, and atypical Parkinsonian syndromes, better.

• Improve the quality-of-life for people-with-Parkinson’s (PwP), care-partners, and families.

Beginning the Work and Fundraising is Necessary: We also have several ideas to attract some money to begin these projects. I will undoubtedly keep the website updated by sending out blog posts as we move along. This is a new adventure, a new function, and a role that I am not sure about how to proceed; however, it is a challenge and a duty that I want.

Innovative and Helpful Ideas:  We are looking forward to developing and bringing these new ideas to the world of Parkinson’s disease. We feel they are both innovative and timely ideas. Moreover, it is possible that if something is novel, it may be helpful for those with Parkinson’s disease. Finally, suppose the original ideas pan out. In that case, we will find a foothold in the arena of all the other groups and organizations dedicated to Parkinson’s disease. Stay tuned!

Foundation Description and Donation on GuideStar and AmazonSmile Charity: For a more in-depth look at the Foundation as we begin, please go to our profile on the GuideStar site, where you can also directly donate to the Foundation (Click here). Additionally, if you are an Amazon.com shopper, you can use this AmazonSmile charity link and automatically be asked if you want to support the “Frank C. Church Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease” (click here for this charity link).

Mottos/Slogans:
“Where Life Meets Parkinson’s.”
“People-with-Parkinson’s.  People will always come first.”
“Remind those with Parkinson’s that life still matters.”
“Helping educate and advocate for everyone with Parkinson’s.”

A Daily Mantra:
“Never quit, never give up. Life can present itself as an obstacle course.  It’s not the winning time that matters; what matters most is your effort to finish and not to give up. Life’s obstacle course is even more exaggerated and unfair to someone with Parkinson’s. Complete the course regardless of your time.  Life and love are still thriving inside of you; just don’t give up, ever. Remain you, stay positive, and be hopeful.” Frank C. Church