Karen and Marc Jaffe will stop at nothing to help The Michael J. Fox Foundation find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Karen, who was diagnosed with PD in 2007, sits on MJFF’s Patient Council, helping to provide input on patient needs; Marc is a control volunteer in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative, MJFF’s landmark clinical study to identify biomarkers of PD; and together, Karen and Marc have raised over $300,000 for Team Fox since 2010. They hosted their annual event, Shaking with Laughter, on September 22, 2012, attracting over 900 people from the greater Cleveland, OH area. Their guests danced to Grammy winner Keb’ Mo’ and laughed with comedian Jake Johannsen. More recently, Karen partnered with Bravelets to sell a Shaking with Laughter bracelet, benefitting MJFF.

In the midst of all this is yet another fundraiser, Side Effects May Include, a “daringly funny and provocative one-man show about early onset Parkinson’s disease.” Marc, a former Seinfeld writer, wrote this play based on how his life has changed since Karen’s diagnosis. Here is a preview of the show:

“Phil is a stand-up comedian, living a reasonably happy married life. His only complaint? Wife Maggie’s waning sex drive. It provides ample fodder for his stand-up act – until she is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and their life takes an unexpected turn – some of it for the better. Based on a funny, touching true story, former Seinfeld writer Marc Jaffe shares his own experience and finds that sometimes it’s not the disease that changes us, but the side effects…”

The show runs from January 4 – February 10 at the Greenhouse Theater in Chicago, IL. Tickets are $25 and 10% of each ticket will be donated to Karen and Marc’s Team Fox efforts. Secure your ticket today!