The New England Parkinson’s Ride raises money for medical research to find a cure for Parkinson’s and to support those currently living with the disease. They reached their goal of 500 votes and doubled their donation to reach $10,000.
The New England Parkinson’s Ride has two primary goals. First, to raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which supports researchers around the world in their quest for better treatments, and ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. Second, to support the hundreds of people in the agency’s local area living with the disease, and their loved ones, by providing a way to be directly involved in working towards a cure. Open to cyclists of all ages and abilities, the ride has created a sense of community among people affected by the struggles of living with Parkinson’s Disease.
A family affair
Advantage Insurance owners Chris and Terry Woods, along with Chris’s parents, Edna and Bob, founded the ride in 2008 because there was no other cycling event supporting Parkinson’s research in the Northeast. It also had a personal dimension for them as Chris, an avid cyclist, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when he was 41 years old.
Terry Woods (left) and Chris Woods (center), owners of Advantage Insurance, cross the finish line of the 100-mile New England Parkinson’s Ride along with fellow cyclists.
During the Ride’s first year, they recruited 37 cyclists and raised $27,000. Since then, it has grown into the largest fundraising event in the country for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, raising more than $8 million to date. The ride officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2013.
A year-round effort
Pulling off this impressive event has become a year-round effort. Led by full-time Executive Director Cindy Woods Theberge, who is Chris’s sister, the nonprofit has a part-time supporting staff, a board of nine dedicated officers and more than 250 volunteers. With Cindy at the helm, the team organizes the more than 1,300 cyclists who annually navigate four routes near Old Orchard Beach, Maine, that range from 10 to 100 miles around. Volunteers also provide support at a dozen rest stops. Along with riding the 100-mile route and personally raising more than $10,000 each year, Chris has also served as Chairman of the Board of the nonprofit since 2018. In addition, the agency staff also helps with a wide variety of tasks in support of the cause.
Chris Woods celebrates with his mother, and nonprofit co-founder, Edna Woods, after finishing the 100-mile New England Parkinson’s Ride.
Wheels of fortune
After raising more than $1.3 million in 2019, the ride was forced to change its approach in 2020 due to the global pandemic. Rather than risk losing momentum by taking the year off, Executive Director Cindy Theberge got creative and formed the “Cycling in Sync” program to keep things rolling. This effort included recruiting cyclists from every U.S. state, plus six other countries, to ride on the same day in different places around the world. The result was more than a thousand cyclists coming together to raise more than $1.1 million for Parkinson’s research.
“This year we had the exciting return of cyclists to an in-person event, while, continuing the new tradition of Cycling In Sync across the nation,” said Theberge. “The 2021 ride has raised nearly $1.3 million so far, with fundraising continuing through the end of the year.”
This past year, Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance employees, Michael Cushman and Forrest Oberst, volunteered at the event, helping with watering stations and welcoming the cyclists across the finish line.
An early morning start to a ride in September 2021.
This year we had the exciting return of cyclists to an in-person event, while continuing the new tradition of Cycling In Sync across the nation. The 2021 ride has raised nearly $1.3 million so far, with fundraising continuing through the end of the year.
– Cindy Woods Theberge, Executive Director, New England Parkinson’s Ride
Continuing the cycle of giving
In these challenging times, a $10,000 donation from Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance would help the nonprofit reach their annual fundraising goal to give to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.
I am so happy to have found this page, very informative and supportive.. My Husband had Parkinson’s disease and was dealing with shakes, stiffness and balance issues – it was like his body was in rebellion. Meds ( Levodopa ) and therapies were not doing much, so we thought about trying alternative methods as we heard interesting stories about Ayurvedic herbs with this disease. We explored the path and it changed his life with all symptoms totally reversed – Shakes calmed down, stiffness took a hike. My husband is living proof that natural Ayurvedic herbs can be a game-changer in the… Read more »
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. After years on medications, symptoms worsened with tremors on my right hand, numbness and tingling, muscle weakness and loss of speech. Fortunately last year, I learnt about Aknni Herbs Clinic and their Parkinson’s disease alternative treatment (w w w. aknniherbscentre .com), the Parkinson’s disease treatment made a great difference, most of my symptoms including tremors, weakness and others gradually disappeared. I improved greatly over the 6 months treatment, it’s been a years since the treatment, i have no symptoms. I have a very good quality of life and a supportive family!
My husband first symptoms of Parkinson’s occurred during covid, but was diagnosed in 2021 when he was 61 years. He was on Levodopa- not crazy about it! he was also on Sifrol and rotigotine not crazy about any of it either, The Levodopa did very little to help him. The medical team did even less. His decline was rapid and devastating. He had a stooped posture, tremors, muscle stiffness and even slow movements. I was a master Gardener and love herbs! This Parkinson’s took my life from me, I was no longer able to work in my garden anymore because… Read more »
My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 2 years ago, when he was 49. He had a stooped posture, tremors, right arm does not move and also a pulsating feeling in his body. He was placed on Sinemet for 8 months and then Sifrol was introduced and replaced the Senemet, during this time span he was also diagnosed with dementia. He started having hallucinations, lost touch with reality. Suspecting it was the medication I took him off the Sifrol (with the doctor’s knowledge) and started him on PD natural herbal formula we ordered from Health Care HERBAL CENTRE, his symptoms… Read more »
I stopped most of my Parkinson’s disease medications due to severe side effects and I started on herbal treatments from Natural Herbs Centre (naturalherbscentre. com), the treatment has made a very huge difference for me. My symptoms including body weakness and Swallowing difficulties disappeared after few months on the treatment. I am getting active again since starting this treatment.
Fabulous job! Keep on spinning!!!
Liberty Mutual and Safeco are the most generous companies, and they are among the best insurance companies as well. Great organizations!
Close to my heart – thank you.
wow!
God bless!!
Love this cause!
Thank you Liberty Mutual for you participation in a Parkinson’s Fu
i am so inspired by what the Woods family has done and the difference they are making in peoples’ lives!
My first ever ride!!I was impressed with the organization and just the enormous generosity from volunteers and donors like liberty mutual. I certainly will participate in this again.
Thank you Safeco and Liberty Mutual! With your help we are making a difference for people battling PD! Thank you to the Woods family as well! You are a warm and welcoming family who wore tirelessly to find a cure! It’s a privilege to ride beside you each year! God bless! Annie O’Gorman
Love this Team!
Great organization and family. I look forward to the event every year. Thanks to Liberty Mutual and Safeco for your support.
Such an amazing, hard working team of people working for a great cause! Always proud to support their cause.
Great charity run by awesome people!
Great Charity!
Another vote YES
This is a wonderful ride. The staff and volunteers make it easy and safe for the riders. I have enjoyed riding in person and in sync to raise money for this important cause.
Vote
Voting for New England Parkinson’s Ride!
Best family ever and an event not to miss!
Amazing group! Inspiring.
Amazing ride I look forward to every year, even if riding in sync.
LET’S DO THIS!
Great cause, amazing work!
Keep up the amazing and inspiring work!
I’ve had the pleasure of being involved and riding in the event for 3 years now. It is truly one of the highlights of my year and all for a cause which is so dear to so many of us. Thank you to the donors, other fellow riders, volunteers, cheering public, family supporters and friends…. and thank you to Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance for continuing to contribute !
What a great event! So well organized and the team also delivered perfect weather! Thanks for the great post event celebration including music!!
Love Terry and Chris. They would give you the world.
Thank you Safeco and Liberty Mutual for sponsoring the most incredible organization we know. Woods family is amazing and have done an amazing job of raising enormous amounts of money for Fox Foundation and raising awareness of Parkinson’s Disease. Thank you.
Thank you Safeco & Liberty Mutual!
I’ve participated in the NEPR for about 3 years, beginning shortly after my mother-in-law passed away. Cecile put a good fight, living with PD for about 12 years. Thank you Liberty Mutual and Safeco for your generous contributions to the NEPR.
Chris and Terry along with everyone at Advantage Insurance. You guys are inspirational for this amazing event!
Love this team!
Great job Daughter in law! So proud of what you have accomplished.
Amazing cause!!
Awesome organization and great people doing an amazing job!
Chris, Terry and family at Advantage Insurance – incredible people and a remarkable event!
Jodie Cole
❤❤❤The New England Parkinson’s Ride and the whole Woods Family!
This is a great cause and Chris. & wife Terry have been doing this for several years.
Advantage Insurance and New England Parkinson’s Ride have my vote. Good luck getting to your goal!
Congratulations, Chris and family. Best of luck getting to 500!
Inspirational event for a great cause! Congrats to all!!