This past December, Team Fox lost Allan Goldberg, a creative and dedicated member of our community. Allan left a legacy of beautiful artwork that raised crucial funds for Parkinson’s research. Fellow Team Fox member Karen Jaffe became close with Allan through her work with The Michael J. Fox Foundation and shares her tribute to him and his unexpected passion for art.

The world lost a great man last month. He was kind and gentle and generous. He was a businessman, a family man, an athlete and an artist, and he was a true friend. Allan Goldberg was one of my first Team Fox supporters. Our paths would likely never have crossed if not for our shared diagnosis of PD and his desire to help others with the disease. We became fast friends despite our 20-year age gap.

We spoke often about life, family, having PD and confessing how we wish we didn’t. Within our friendship, Allan found a comrade in arms, someone he could talk to about his struggles with PD and his desire to help others with the disease.

Allan had an amazing “anything is possible” attitude. He never wanted to feel like he had to stop living his life with PD. At age 72, when Allan’s body would no longer cooperate on the golf course, he decided to take a course in painting. That course turned into a passion and revealed a truly remarkable talent. The moment I saw his beautiful and moving paintings, I knew this would be the vehicle for Allan to do good with great works!

Allan’s foray into PD fundraising started with an incredibly successful gallery show. Through the sale of his art, he raised $75,000 for research through the MJFF.

In addition to that tremendous donation for research, Allan was committed to helping the larger community with PD on a local level. We shared a vision for a wellness center for those with PD, and that vision is becoming a reality thanks to Allan’s support. INMOTION, will soon open in Cleveland, Ohio. Allan’s artwork will grace the walls. They will remind us all of our dear friend and founding member. They will inspire us all to keep fighting and fuel our own passions.

The world lost a great man and I lost a true friend. I won’t stop missing Allan, but I will carry on as I know he’d want me to and keep working until we find a cure.