Kate, and her late father, Bob Harmon.
“When my father, Bob Harmon, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006, he didn't hide from it,” Kate Harmon said of her late father as he stood in front of 200 golfers in Lake Ashton, Florida at her family’s first “Golf for the Cure” fundraiser event.
“That day, a community of friends and strangers became part of something bigger,” she said. “It was the beginning of our family's Parkinson's journey—and our work as advocates.”
Since then, Kate’s family has raised over $500,000 for Team Fox, the grassroots fundraising program of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). And now, Kate works for the Foundation, helping community members start fundraisers of their own, as a senior community fundraising specialist.
Recently, Kate shared her family’s journey in a story she wrote for “Brain & Life,” a magazine and website that provides information on brain health and neurologic conditions to patients and caregivers.
As Kate’s family prepares to bring back Golf for the Cure – the Bob Harmon Memorial Tournament – on Saturday, May 2, 2026, Kate reflects on the incredible legacy her dad has left behind.
“In every conversation I have with someone newly diagnosed or newly afraid I tell them what dad told me: “You’ve got this. And you’re not alone.”
Read more about Kate and her family’s incredible impact in the article here.
Being a care partner to someone with Parkinson’s disease can be a shifting and complex role, as symptoms and life circumstances change. And sometimes, this can lead to stress and even burnout for the care partner. Check out the Foundation’s webinar (also available as a podcast), “Parkinson’s Care Partners: Not Another ‘Self-Care’ Discussion” to hear expert panelists, including Kate, discuss how to navigate care partnership, such as everyday strategies to de-stress and find supportive community.
A network of love and support can be an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to living well with Parkinson’s disease, but it isn’t always easy for loved ones to find their place in that network. In this video, Rachel Dolhun, MD, DipABLM, principal medical advisor at The Michael J. Fox Foundation offers five tips to support a loved one with Parkinson’s, whether you’re a partner, a parent, a child or a friend.
Team Fox members have raised over $185 million for Parkinson’s research since 2006. Learn more about becoming part of this passionate community of change-makers bringing us closer to a cure, here.
Photo Gallery
Kate and her late father, Bob Harmon, at her wedding.
The Harmon family. [From left to right Matthew, Cecily, Kate, Emily and Bob Harmon.]
Kate’s late father, PD advocate and Team Fox fundraiser, Bob Harmon.
Kate and her late father, Bob Harmon.