There are an estimated 10,000 to 25,000 people in the Jacksonville area with Parkinson’s Disease, yet often the conversation surrounding Parkinson’s is nowhere near as prevalent as other diseases.
Jax Hope Inc. was designed to be a resource for education and connection for community members struggling with Parkinson’s Disease, bringing people closer to support groups and exercise classes to manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
“A lot of people, when they’re diagnosed with Parkinson’s, withdraw from everybody, so we try to bring them out into the community, bring them around other people just like them,” said Gregg Hummer, president and director of the Support Group Resource Assistance Program at Jax Hope Inc.
Jax Hope Inc. began as Rock Steady Boxing in 2017, where nine hopeful people wanted to fight back against Parkinson's Disease. Kristen Gray, a person with young onset PD, moved to Jacksonville and discovered the area had very limited resources for people with Parkinson’s. She teamed up with Bill and Marilyn Wilson to develop a rock-steady program, which eventually expanded into Jax Hope Inc. in 2021 when the organization began encouraging existing Parkinson’s support groups to become a larger influence in their communities, as well as creating new groups.
Currently, Jax Hope Inc. assists 15 Parkinson’s and caregiver support groups in the area as community members come together for social activities, exercise classes and educational opportunities. The groups span from as far south as Palm Coast to as far north as Southern Georgia.
As a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization, Jax Hope Inc. and its support groups lean on places such as churches and gyms to donate meeting rooms, facilities and trainers for support groups to meet.
“We rely on the public to help us with these things,” said Hummer, “but we’re trying to make things better for people with Parkinson’s. Get them involved, get them active.”
Jax Hope Inc.’s mission is to address the daily challenges and slow the progression of Parkinson’s Disease. They’re dedicated to uplifting the profile of people with Parkinson’s, communicating advances in treatment and providing resources where community members need help most.
The organization hosts an annual golf fundraiser to raise funds that help support the Parkinson's community. The event will take place this year on Oct. 15 at The Yards in Ponte Vedra Beach.
For more information go to jaxhopeinc.org or email Gregg Hummer at community@jaxhopeinc.org.
