Meet the Advocates

Fundraiser: January 1 - December 31, 2025
Give to Laura’s campaign
Laura Olmos (Mexico): was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2013, at the age of 40, although the symptoms appeared a decade earlier. She founded Parkinson Laredo as a Facebook group during COVID pandemic and after that as an in-person support group too, on both sides of the border. Her commitment extends to participation in local, national, and international events related to Parkinson's, awareness. She has learned the importance of a healthy lifestyle, which includes specific care, regular exercise, and a balanced diet, among other aspects, to live fully despite Parkinson's. As an Ambassador of the Davis Phinney Foundation, she is enthusiastically dedicated to spreading this valuable message. Laura Celebrates life as it is, sometimes adapting activities and enjoying time with family and friends. Loves practicing yoga, painting, traveling, and outdoor activities.

Fundraiser: January 1 - January 31, 2025 
Give to Larry’s campaign  
Larry Gifford (Canada): was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease in 2017, has turned his personal journey into a catalyst for change. Unable to find a podcast that resonated with the patient experience, he launched "When Life Gives You Parkinson's"  
in 2018, drawing on his radio background and storytelling skills to become a powerful voice  
in the community. Inspired by the book "Ending Parkinson's Disease" during the early days of  
the COVID-19 pandemic, Larry organized virtual discussions that sparked a global movement.  
This initiative evolved into the PD Avengers, a coalition dedicated to ending Parkinson's. Through his podcast and advocacy, Larry is rallying a global community toward awareness, research, and action to confront and ultimately end Parkinson's disease.

Fundraiser: February 1 – March 1, 2025
Give to Eli’s campaign
Elizabeth “Eli” Pollard (USA): has been running the World Parkinson Coalition since 2004. She has watched the world of Parkinson’s evolve over the years and has worked hard to ensure that people with Parkinson’s and care partners always have a seat at the table, but also that the full team of interprofessional healthcare members have a seat at the table as well. Over the years, Eli has watched people with YOPD add urgency to the timeline for new treatments, biomarkers, understanding of the genetic implications for Parkinson’s and especially urgency around finding that elusive cure. Eli is excited to help bring more people with YOPD to the World Parkinson Congress to help them spring into action as new advocates, learning from senior advocates.

Fundraiser: March 2 - March 31, 2025
Give to Rebecca’s campaign  
Rebecca Miller, PhD (USA): is a licensed clinical psychologist and Associate Professor at the Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. She received her masters and doctorate from Long Island University, Brooklyn, and currently works as Director of Peer Support at the Connecticut Mental Health Center in New Haven, CT. Becca was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease at age 39 after living with undiagnosed symptoms for 10 years prior. She has served as a delegate and spoken on YOPD and parenting at the World Parkinson Congress in Portland, OR and Kyoto, Japan. She lives in New Haven, CT, with her 10 year-old daughter.

Fundraiser: March 26 - April 30, 2025
Give to Kristi’s campaign  
Kristi LaMonica, PhD (USA): has shown Parkinson’s motor symptoms since 2013 and REM sleep disorder since 2005, receiving a YOPD diagnosis in 2020 after several traumatic events. She is actively involved globally with the PD Avengers, co-chairing their Wellness Committee, and participating in the World Parkinson’s Congress YOPD women’s group.  
Kristi is an ambassador for the Davis Phinney Foundation, a panelist in their “living with Parkinson's” meetups, and has contributed to various initiatives, including the Stand Up to Parkinson’s events and co-authoring the book ‘In Her Shoes’ for YOPD women. Locally, she coordinated the “Living Well with Parkinson's” event and is now Vice President of Help for Parkinson’s. Kristi also engages with students, organizing LSVT-Big training, and is focusing her lab’s research on women and PD. She was nominated as one of the “Remarkable Women” of 2024 by News10 in Albany, NY.

Fundraiser: May 1 - May 31, 2025 
Give to Ron’s campaign  
Ron Moore, Jr. (USA): lives in Austintown, Ohio. He is married and has six children and thirteen grandchildren. Diagnosed in 2004 at the age of 34, he is a lifelong artist who works in graphite and acrylic painting. He uses his artwork as therapy for Parkinson’s disease as well as a source of income. Ron is a strong advocate for individuals with Parkinson’s. He consistently meets with his congressional representative, senators, and several local officials in Ohio to discuss issues affecting people living with Parkinson’s. He is currently 56 years old.

Fundraiser: June 1 - June 30, 2025 
Give to Michele’s campaign  
Michele Callisaya, RN (Australia): lives in Tasmania, Australia, with her partner Niall. She first noticed symptoms of Parkinson’s in 2020 at age 48 while running, experiencing calf and toe tightness, later diagnosed as dystonia. It took two years for an official diagnosis. With over 20 years of experience as a physiotherapist, Michele now focuses on research to improve treatments for falls and rehabilitation for those with progressive neurological conditions. In 2023, she attended the World Parkinson’s Congress in Barcelona, which inspired her to become a Parkinson's advocate.

Fundraiser: July 1 - July 31, 2025
Give to Julie’s campaign  
Julie Fitzgerald (USA): is a passionate advocate for those affected by Young Onset Parkinson’s disease. After experiencing symptoms for 20 years, she finally received her diagnosis in early 2013. Since then, she has dedicated herself to raising awareness about the challenges of diagnosing Parkinson’s, particularly in young women. Julie volunteers with various organizations, focusing on educating the public and healthcare professionals while also advocating for important legislative changes. Her commitment to this cause goes beyond local efforts. Julie took part in an ambitious 7-day, 120-mile hike across Sicily alongside advocates for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. This remarkable journey aimed to raise awareness for both diseases and is captured in the film "Pilgrimage to Enlightenment – The Journey to Becoming an Advocate," which has been featured in numerous film festivals. Currently, Julie resides in Austin, Texas, where she enjoys life with her service dog, Hope, and her kitten, Peaches.

Fundraiser: August 1 - August 31, 2025
Give to BJ’s campaign
BJ Bement (USA): was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 44 in 2013 and quickly became an advocate for the community. Just four months after his diagnosis, he participated in Capitol Hill Day for the Parkinson’s Action Network under the mentorship of Michelle Lane. Currently, he serves as the President of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation and is an Ambassador for the PMD Alliance, where he has also presented at their ‘All In’ Conferences. As a co-founder and co-president of The Mission for Movement, he helps the Greater Baton Rouge Area build a connected Parkinson’s community. He has been Chairman of the Parkinson’s Foundation Baton Rouge Moving Day Walk for six years and recently assisted in establishing Ping Pong for PD at the Capital Area YMCA. B.J. is also a Board member of Yes And Exercises, advocating for Improv as therapy. His proudest achievement is earning the Community Service Award in 2023 for volunteering more hours than any other Parkinson’s Foundation volunteer nationwide. He remains committed to serving the PD community for as long as he can. He lives with his Care Partner, Kelly, and their son, Benjamin, resides in Texas.

Fundraiser: September 1 – September 30
Give to Shane’s campaign  
Shane Breslin (Ireland): works as a Process design engineer in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. Little did he realize that 12 years ago, with a diagnosis of EOPD at the age of 45, he'd be using some of the medicines and medical devices (DBS) for which he had designed facilities to manufacture them.  Shane is actively involved with the YOPD branch of Parkinson's Ireland and the Irish EOPD. He has given numerous presentations on his DBS experience to health professionals, students, and other People with Parkinsons (PwP). He teaches martial arts (jiu-jitsu) and hits the odd golf ball to relax.

Fundraiser: October 1 - October 31, 2025
Give to Karl’s campaign 
Karl Robb (USA): has had Young Onset Parkinson’s disease (PD) for over forty years. With symptoms since he was seventeen years old, Karl was diagnosed at the age of twenty-three. Now fifty-seven, he is a Parkinson’s disease advocate, entrepreneur, inventor, Reiki Master, and author of two books (A Soft Voice in a Noisy World: A Guide to Dealing and Healing with Parkinson’s Disease and Dealing and Healing with Parkinson’s Disease and Other Health Conditions: A Workbook for Body, Mind, and Spirit) with his wife and care partner, Angela Robb. He has written for sixteen years on his website, ASoftVoice.com. Karl is a board member of both the Parkinson Voice Project and Parkinson Social Network.) with his wife and care partner, Angela Robb. He has written for sixteen years on his website, ASoftVoice.com. Karl is a board member of both the Parkinson Voice Project and Parkinson Social Network.

Fundraiser: November 1 - November 30, 2025
Give to Kat’s campaign  
Kat Hill (USA): is from Portland, Oregon USA. She believes that we can choose joy in our lives no matter what we are faced with.
Movement, mindfulness, and gratitude help her navigate the challenges of living with Young
Onset Parkinson’s disease. After her diagnosis at age 48, she ended her career as a nurse midwife after delivering over 800 babies.

Fundraiser: December 1 - December 31, 2025
Give to Angela’s campaign  
Angela Robb (USA): is a 24-year Young Onset Parkinson’s care partner. She is Karl’s wife & co-editor at ASoftVoice.com and a Reiki Master. In 2015, Angela was honored at The White House as a Champion of Change in Parkinson’s disease.