Connecting Across the Pond for a Great Cause

By: D. Scott Fritchen

Eugene DeDonder faced a predicament many months ago. In the planning stages of the 17^th annual Speedy PD Race for Parkinson's Disease, DeDonder, a Parkinson's patient and committee member, realized that he would be unable to attend the festivities in Manhattan this year.

The Speedy PD 5K/10K and Memorial Run/Walk that benefits Meadowlark Parkinson's Program, will take place on August 23 at Tuttle Creek State Park. However, DeDonder and his wife, with football game tickets in hand, will be preparing to attend 2025 Kansas State football season opener against Iowa State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland.

DeDonder had an idea.

"I wondered if there'd be an opportunity to collaborate with anyone going to football game that has Parkinson's or are care givers," DeDonder said. "We got ahold of Parkinson's Disease representatives in Dublin. We thought it'd be nice for people from Dublin and from K-State heading to the game to connect. I very much look forward to this."

Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurological condition that primarily affects movement due to the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. According to the Parkinson's Foundation, an estimated 1 million people in the United States have Parkinson's Disease. Globally, the number is approximately 10 million.

That includes 90-year-old Richard Meade of Fulton, Illinois. Meade is the father of Rhonda Klieman, who is wife of K-State football head coach Chris Klieman. Both Chris and Rhonda have been loyal supporters of the Meadowlark Parkinson's Program during their seven years in Manhattan.

"It's always amazing to me the number of people who have Parkinson's and who don't realize it, and how many younger people also have Parkinson's," Rhonda said. "My dad was diagnosed 20 years ago, but he probably started showing symptoms earlier. He just didn't get anything checked out."

One of the hopes is that the collaboration between Manhattan and Dublin might spur awareness that might prompt gatherers to get themselves tested for Parkinson's Disease. That is one hope — a hope among so many as the well-traveling Wildcats visit the Emerald Isle.

This venture, of course, is made possible through K-State deciding to play a football game outside of the United States.

"This is very cool," Rhonda said. "It's country to county working together and stepping outside of football, yet it's the sport of football that's bringing interest to a bigger issue. I think that's very cool."

Michelle Haub, the Special Programs Leader at Meadowlark, and who is celebrating her 20^th year at Meadowlark, provides oversight and leadership for the Meadowlark Parkinson's Program and Meadowlark Memory Program. Despite a hectic schedule, she coordinates the Speedy PD 5K/10K Race for Parkinson's and the Pig Out for Parkinson's.

She recalled DeDonder's plight that ultimately made this journey possible.

"Eugene took the first step and contacted the Parkinson's Ireland Dublin Branch, and they were super excited about the chance to help people in both countries and throughout the world understand that Parkinson's is a very challenging, sad, and frustrating disease, but at the same time there is so much more people can do to live a better quality of life.

"We just want to help reach as many people as we can by making this connection to learn more about what Parkinson's is and how people can take steps and be involved and learn more about Parkinson's and learn more about supporting our journey with Parkinson's."

Although the Speedy PD race is on August 23, there will be a small gathering earlier in the week in Dublin of leadership members from the Meadowlark Parkinson's Program, Parkinson's Ireland Dublin Branch and Parkinson's Europe. Concurrently, back in Manhattan, it is expected that a group of Parkinson's patients and care partners will meet at Meadowlark for donuts and coffee. The Dublin group and Manhattan group will be able to mingle through the magic of Zoom. This is the beginning of what organizers hope will be a long-standing relationship.

"Our race has always been the last weekend in August unless Labor Day falls on that," Haub said. "Last year, we looked ahead to this K-State game and debated moving our date. Instead, we decided this would be a great opportunity to make connections and make awareness for Parkinson's even better because of the K-State game in Dublin."

K-State fans and Parkinson's patients from the Manhattan area at the Belvedere Hotel will present the official 2025 Speedy PD t-shirt to members of the Parkinson's Association of Dublin Branch.

The theme of this year's Speedy PD race will be emblazoned upon each t-shirt: "Dublin the Fun."

Gary Boyle is a 60-year-old Dublin resident who lived with his wife, son and daughter. Boyle was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease in 2011, at the age of 44, and ceased working in 2015. He was elected Parkinson's Europe Vice-President in 2023 and is now a patient advocate and champion of greater awareness of Parkinson's.

In short, he cannot wait for K-State and its fans to arrive in Dublin.

"This is an amazing connection between Parkinson's, Dublin and Kansas State," Boyle said. "We're so delighted and surprised at the same time at all the things that are coming to us. Parkinson's Disease, I've had it for 16 years, and we're very serious about it. The event will be absolutely spectacular to get everybody together. It's not so much what people with Parkinson's can do, but to show people that life goes on with Parkinson's. You have good days and bad days, like everybody else.

"This is an opportunity to get everybody together and then hopefully go enjoy the ball game."

Asked whether he planned to attend the K-State/Iowa State football game, Boyle replied, "I certainly am if I can get tickets, but these tickets are like gold."

Because of the K-State/Iowa State football game, DeDonder saw an obstacle turn into a golden opportunity for spreading Parkinson's Disease awareness.

"This is all because of K-State's appearance in the Aer Lingus Classic that we're even talking about this," DeDonder said. "Without K-State football, there probably wouldn't be a seed to be planted.

"And now? I look forward to continuing this in the future."

To reach Meadowlark Parkinson's Program to learn more about its free education, outreach and engagement opportunities, visit:

https://www.meadowlark.org/community-programs/meadowlark-parkinsons-program

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