The Team Fox community brings together people of all ages. As part of this ongoing series, we talk with some of our younger Team Fox members who are getting an early start on raising funds and awareness for Parkinson’s research.

Jake Pearlstein, 12
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Half Marathon
Funds Raised: $7,591

Why Team Fox: I’m close to a family member who has Parkinson’s, so I wanted to incorporate that into my bar mitzvah project.

Why a half marathon: I’d already done the Broad Street Run, which is 10 miles. But I wanted more of a challenge. I like to do things out of the ordinary. The half marathon seemed like the right fit.

Greatest challenge: The training can be tough to fit in your schedule. It seemed like I was always running. Almost every day someone would tell me that they saw me out there. But it was worth it.

Greatest reward: During the race, I saw family members at eight different points along the way. It helped keep me going. Crossing the finish line was amazing. I didn’t want to stop.

What’s next: I hope to get into the full marathon next year. I don’t mind fundraising — it’s for a good cause. And I’m looking forward to the Team Fox MVP Awards Dinner.

Best advice: Train as much as you can. Never be lazy, no matter what you’re doing. If you’re able to run, you don’t realize how lucky you are — and how hard that would be for someone with Parkinson’s. Stay focused on your goal.

Read about other young Team Fox members. This story first appeared in the Spring 2013 issue of  The Fox Focus on Parkinson's. Read the full issue.