Kicking some PD ass in the heartland

[rayilynlee <rayilynlee@xxxxxxx>]

Newbies and old-timers, meet Meg Duggan.  You have no doubt heard from her in a 
few posts, but I'm blown away by all she is doing and has done for the cause.

As the Executive Director of the Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland "you 
name it, we'll do it" is her battle cry and believe me she has done it.

Meg came to the organization six years ago as its first and only employee. Her 
sister was diagnosed with Parkinson's five years before that  at age 38 and has 
fought heroically for 11 years working and raising her daughters.  She 
remarried a year ago and just took 200 sixteen-year olds to Ireland for two 
weeks.

Six  years ago the PFH had  a budget of $75,000.  Today it is $675,000.  From 
just answering the phone, sending out NPF books, PFH is now in Oklahoma, 
Missouri, and Kansas with over 100 support and exercise groups and  twice 
weekly wellness classes and many programs across all three states all the time.

Meg claims the most important thing they do is their Parkinson Care Series, 
which consists of eight videos or DVDs with Continuing Education Credits for 15 
job categories which train staff at hospitals, elder care facilities, etc.  
This helps PWP who need care and also enables local groups to connect with 
potential sponsors in their areas.   They have 500 facilities currently using 
their programs and are doing a massive (50,000 pieces) direct mail campaign.

They have prestigious board members like Drew Dimmel, local KC celebrity, CEOs 
of KC Power and Light, Ernst and Young, Blue Shield, H&R Block, KC premier law 
firms, and  University of Kansas Medical Center, etc., etc.

They make a lot of noise in town with a bunch of fundraisers.   Their main 
kick-off party gets about 700 well-heeled supporters and their final event this 
year was an art show  with 40,000 attendees.

PFH can never ever endorse candidates, but nothing can stop them from 
advocating hard for issues important to PWPs, which currrently would be stem 
cell research.  As you know, even with the Stowers Institute in town, it is an 
uphill battle.

Meg has mobilized letter writing campaigns, rented buses and filled hearing 
rooms.  She recently signed a letter that went to 300,000 Kansas homes.  Her 
organization is in part responsible for getting the Kansas Coalition for 
Lifesaving Cures and the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures on the ballots.

Meg Duggan strongly believes we are here to be "thought leaders" who must 
deliver a deeper understanding of where hope lies for a cure to the PD 
community.  Taking  a very public stand has increased memberships by $10,000.  
She is more than determined to kick some serious PD ass.

A little kid told her they had a "dumb company name" and suggested it be called 
the"I HATE PARKINSON'S CLUB".  I agree, but I LOVE MEG DUGGAN FOR ALL SHE HAS 
DONE FOR US PWPs.

The beat goes on in the Heartland with board member Rick Lucas submitting an  
editorial to the Kansas City Star to run shortly before the election.   From 
our hearts, thank you, Meg.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
Ray