One Person’s Story. Thousands of Reasons For Hope.
APDA Northwest Chapter Board Member Jake Miller joined the APDA Optimism Walk with one goal: to share his Parkinson’s journey and invite others to support an organization and cause that has become deeply meaningful to him. The response has been extraordinary. Currently, Jake has raised more than $170,000, with support from hundreds of donors across 42 states and nine countries.
He’s quick to point out that this story isn’t about him; it’s about the generosity of hundreds of people from all over the world who chose to support APDA and the thousands of individuals and families who benefit from APDA’s education, resources, support programs, and research initiatives. Whether someone raises $100 or $100,000, every fundraiser, every walker, every donor, and every shared story helps advance APDA’s mission.
After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a few years ago, Jake learned that Parkinson’s affects far more than movement alone. It touches spouses, children, parents, caregivers, friends, and entire families. By sharing his own story, he found that many others were willing to share theirs. Over the past few months, he has had the privilege of hearing from well over a thousand people whose lives have been touched by Parkinson’s in one way or another. Their openness, courage, and kindness have been deeply humbling and have reinforced his belief that no one should face Parkinson’s alone.
“This journey has little to do with fundraising. It’s the reminder that kindness knows no boundaries.” — Jake Miller
Jake named his Optimism Walk team Steps Toward a Cure because he believes every step has meaning. Every donation, every conversation, every shared story, and every act of encouragement moves us closer to better treatments and, one day, a cure. His fundraising goal is $172,339, based on the number of inches in a marathon, plus an extra mile, and reflects his belief that PD is a marathon, not a sprint, and that it’s always worth going the extra mile.
When Jake participates in the APDA Northwest Optimism Walk this September, he’ll be thinking about those shared conversations. He’ll be carrying with him the stories of the many people who trusted him enough to share their experiences, the generosity of those who supported APDA’s mission, and the countless individuals and families who continue to face Parkinson’s with courage every day.
More than anything, Jake hopes his experience encourages others to listen, to share, and to remain hopeful. His hope has simply been to turn a difficult diagnosis into an opportunity to give back, raise spirits, and help others. Every conversation, every act of kindness, every shared story, every donation, and every step forward helps make a meaningful difference.
Rooted in optimism, Jake says “a positive attitude doesn’t change a PD diagnosis, but it can change how we face it, support one another, and inspire others.”
Visit apdaparkinson.org/optimism-walks to learn how to participate in your local Optimism Walk or support APDA’s mission through a donation.