Jay Silver, with his wife and triplets.
When Jay Silver laces up his hiking boots, it’s more than just exercise — it’s a statement. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s seven years ago at age 52, Jay refuses to let the disease define his limits. Instead, he’s training for one of his biggest adventures yet: joining Team Fox in Guatemala this November to take on their first-ever 3 Volcano Challenge. “This challenge isn’t just about me, it’s about showing what’s possible with Parkinson’s,” he says.
At first, he chose to keep the diagnosis private, sharing it only with his wife as he worked through what it would mean for his life and their family. His triplets were just 15 at the time, and like any parent, his mind raced ahead to what their future — and his — would look like.
A turning point came after a visit with his second doctor, who encouraged him to exercise as much as possible. Jay threw himself into that advice. He began hiking at sunrise, covering thousands of miles and built a daily training routine that he has rarely broken. “Exercise is how I live with Parkinson’s,” he says. “If I can hike six miles today, then I believe I can do six miles tomorrow.”
That commitment also led him to Rock Steady Boxing, an exercise program designed for people with Parkinson’s. When Jay first walked through the doors of the Eastern Island location, he met Susan Thomas, the gym’s owner, who became a cornerstone in building his support system. What began as a workout quickly became a lifeline. Surrounded by others who understood the ups and downs of Parkinson’s, Jay started opening up and found community in the ring, training three days a week alongside people facing the same challenges.
Their support has shown up in many ways. His classmates have become his biggest supporters, not only donating to his fundraising page but also cheering him on at every step. One teammate even helped him rewrite his fundraising page, an act of kindness that touched Jay deeply. “I didn’t realize how much I motivated people until they told me,” he admits. “Some of them can’t do what I can physically, so I’m doing this for them too. I’ll climb for the people who can’t.”
The trek itself is more than an athletic test — it’s a way to advance Parkinson’s research through Team Fox, The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s grassroots fundraising community. Jay’s determination has already moved nearly 80 donors to join his cause, helping him reach his initial $10,000 goal in just a matter of weeks. “I never thought of myself as a fundraiser. But one day, someone is going to figure this disease out,” he says. “Maybe it’ll be the $100,000 raised on this trip that makes the difference. That possibility drives me.”
There’s no question parts of the climb will push him to his limits. The thin air at high altitudes could slow his pace, but he refuses to let fear take over. “I don’t want to be on that trail and disappoint the group of people who are looking at me as their inspiration,” he says. That thought keeps him training hard at home, tackling hills and long hikes with the same determination he’ll need on the volcanoes.
Each step in Guatemala will carry the love of his family, the pride of his parents, the encouragement of his boxing partners and the belief of dozens of donors who know that every mile brings us closer to better treatments and a cure. “Parkinson’s keeps taking, but this climb is something I can give back,” he says.
The 3 Volcano Challenge spans seven days and more than 10,000 feet of climbing across Guatemala’s volcanic highlands. This year’s inaugural trek takes place November 8–16, 2025, and you can follow along on Team Fox’s Instagram and Facebook to see Jay and his teammates take on this extraordinary journey.
