Dr. Louis ‘Lou’ Flancbaum was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease five years ago. While the diagnosis brought an end to his career as a general surgeon, it also opened the door to a whole new (and unfamiliar) set of responsibilities. As Lou puts it, “I didn’t really retire the day I was diagnosed, I simply traded one career for another.” Lou adopted a more active lifestyle, exercising for two hours each day—a therapy that has enabled him to avoid taking any medication. In addition, he and his zealous wife, Debby, have organized a Team Fox golf outing since 2009, raising more than $150,000 so far for Parkinson’s research. And there is no end in sight to their fundraising efforts.

With the help of a robust committee, Debby and Lou are holding their 3rd Annual Team Fox event on Sunday, May 20, at Tarry Brae Golf Course in South Fallsburg, NY. Called “Pars for Parkinson’s: The Paul Kudowitz Memorial Golf Outing,” the event honors Lou and the entire PD community, and it celebrates the life of dear friend Dr. Paul Kudowitz. Paul embodied a loving and giving spirit, so the Flancbaums decided to put their event in his name after he passed away suddenly in December 2010.

The event’s success over the years is a testament to the supportive community that Debby and Lou have fostered since 2009. They are determined to continue fundraising for Team Fox and promoting exercise as a treatment for PD. The ‘New Lou’ recalls, “I was someone who never had the time to exercise. I always made excuses for my poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle. People are surprised to hear it, but I actually feel better and stronger than I did five years ago.”

The day-long golf outing includes a shotgun start, Kosher bar-b-cue, raffle items, and much more. There is still time to register, so visit their Team Fox page to learn how you can get involved.