By Cindy Zomar, Contributing Writer
Photo/submitted
Marlborough – Marlborough resident Kelly Raiano Maccioli is determined to focus her love of running on helping to find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. Eight years ago, Maccioli’s mother, Carol Raiano, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
“At the time, we knew nothing about the disease, and due to the nature of the disease I can’t actually say that we know a lot more now,” Maccioli said. “We know how it affects mom and we have a much better idea of what will help her continue her life now with Parkinson’s. We also know that it presents differently from person to person…. There is no cure, and there is nothing on the market that will slow the disease. That’s where Team Fox and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research comes in. They are dedicated to researching, developing, and ultimately finding a cure!”
Maccioli ran cross country and track at Marlborough High School and continues to run now as a member of a local running club. She has parlayed that into a way to contribute to Team Fox and do her part in funding Parkinson’s research. By aligning herself with the well-known foundation, every dollar raised through sponsorships of her runs and other fundraising efforts goes directly to research. Last year, she hit a personal best when she, with the help of her family and friends, raised over $12,000, much of it through her participation in the Chicago Marathon wearing a Team Fox bib.
“As a result of my fundraising I was invited to the annual Team Fox Awards dinner in New York City where I was humbled to meet people who had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Foundation, many of them living with Parkinson’s themselves,” Maccioli recalled. “It was amazing! I left NYC inspired to do more.”
This year her goal is to run 2019 miles in 2019 and she is ahead of schedule, having run over 1,100 miles already.
To supplement the amounts raised through race sponsorships, Maccioli has been creative in providing other means for people to join her fight against Parkinson’s. Building on the success of her 2018 mini-golf event, this year’s Putt Putt for Parkinson’s will be held Sunday, Aug. 4, from 10 a.m. until noon at Trombetta’s Farm, 655 Farm Road, in Marlborough. For every $9 admission paid, $6 will go to Team Fox, directly towards research.
“It will be a great day for families and people of all ages. We will have some pretty cool items up for raffle, Team Fox gear on sale, and the Trombetta’s ice cream window will be open as well,” she noted.
Anyone wishing to sponsor a hole and have their company logo or family picture displayed on the course or the check-in table should contact Maccioli at 508-333-1944 or [email protected]. General donations to Team Fox can be sent directly to her fundraising page at https://fundraise.michaeljfox.org/tf-2019/kellyruns2019.
To learn more about Parkinson’s Disease and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, visit www.michaeljfox.org.
