My PD Story

As the somber saying goes, a parent should never have to bury their child. But in March 2023 Roland and Shelley Frankel had to do just that.

Their son Graeme had been fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) for five years and passed from an asthma-related emergency. Graeme is survived by a sister Lara, Brother-in-Law Brad, a nephew Rafi, and a niece Bella Gray who was born after Graeme passed and named after him. To keep Graeme’s memory alive, the family decided to start a DIY fundraiser with the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Graeme often played golf with his father and family when they traveled. His young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) diagnosis in 2018 didn’t stop that. In the last eight months of his life, his PD symptoms had begun to advance, but he was always positive about his experience living with PD, like his hero Michael J Fox. He kept his spirit up. He played his final game with his father in December 2022.

Roland and Shelley had learned about the Parkinson’s Foundation through their son — he supported the Foundation and encouraged his family and friends to support it through yearly birthday fundraisers. He had also utilized Parkinson’s Foundation resources. So, when it came time to create a fundraiser in his honor, the Graeme Frankel Memorial Golf Outing came to life.

The first Graeme Frankel Memorial Golf Outing was a smash success raising $72,545. They couldn’t have wished for a better day. The sun was shining, there was a breeze, and everyone was so helpful. It was as if Graeme’s presence was felt.

“The community, the support, the care, and the love was absolutely phenomenal… how people responded to the event,” Shelley said. “The help that the local Parkinson’s Foundation Midwest Chapter and the Parkinson’s Champions team gave made it all possible. All the people willing to play, sponsor, and donate didn’t hesitate to support the event.”

“Thanks to the support we received, we are bringing the event back yearly to keep his light shining — in memory of Graeme,”  said Roland.

The family is working on going bigger this year to beat their fundraising goal of $80,000.

The Frankel family, friends and network are already gearing up to hopefully make this a continuous annual event to remember Graeme and share his support of the PD community in his memory.  

Roland has continued to stay involved in the Parkinson’s Foundation Midwest Chapter and Shelley shares their fundraiser with friends all over the world (the family is originally from South Africa).  

To those newly diagnosed, they share the following, “Seek medical help and contact the Parkinson’s Foundation for access to resources available. Attend support groups. Graeme’s key was getting good medical help as soon as possible.”

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