The Sunflower Revolution is a celebratory, three-day event whose mission is to raise funds for Parkinson’s research that can benefit patients regionally, nationally, and globally; to promote wellness within the Cincinnati area’s Parkinson’s disease community; and to heighten the public’s awareness of Parkinson’s disease, a progressive and devastating neurological disorder that afflicts 1.5 million
Americans and cannot be halted or cured at this time. A shared project of the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute, the University Hospital Foundation and the Davis Phinney Foundation, the Sunflower Revolution involves a series of events, including: a free educational symposium and expo for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals; and a fund-raising bike ride and run/walk that attracts cyclists from around the nation. In addition, we are proud to collaborate with the city of Milford to bring you the Sunflower Streetfest and Musical Event, a family-friendly event spanning the entire weekend, and featuring entertainment, food, specialty vendors and much more. The Sunflower Revolution was named and founded by Kathleen Krumme, a Cincinnati cyclist and bicycle shop manager whose father suffers from Parkinson’s disease. The sunflower is not only a ubiquitous sight at the Tour de France, the world’s most famous cycling event, it is also a symbol of hope. Those who support the Sunflower events are helping fuel research that will lead to a revolution in the care of people with Parkinson’s disease. All proceeds from the Sunflower Revolution benefit Parkinson’s disease programs in research, education, patient care and wellness at the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, a center of excellence within the UC Neuroscience Institute at University Hospital. Since 2004 the event has raised $1.4 million for laboratory research, clinical trials for patients with Parkinson’s disease, and fellowship opportunities for young physicians training to become Parkinson’s specialists. The Gardner Center at the UC Neuroscience Institute at University Hospital is the Cincinnati region’s premier referral center for people with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, and the Sunflower Revolution is the region’s premier fundraiser for Parkinson’s disease programs.
