Who is P4P?
Nicole Nicholson, Co-Chair
I began running with Pacing for Parkinson’s in 2013 at the Baltimore Running Festival. My dad had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and I couldn’t think of a better way to help support Parkinson’s research than by doing something I already loved to do… RUN! Since 2013, I’ve moved away from the east coast and in 2018 I decided I wanted to find a way to connect with the Pacing for Parkinson’s community again. I became a virtual runner and I have loved getting to know people through my own races as they come up and talk about their own stories and connections to Parkinson’s. This year, in my first year as P4P Co-Chair, I’m looking forward to helping everyone find different ways to connect over this very special cause!
Aliya Reich, Co-Chair
Aliya came to be involved with Pacing for Parkinson's after running the Baltimore Running Festival 5k in 2013 and just happened to walk by the P4P tent. The rest was history! The P4P cause is of particular meaning to Aliya because both of her grandfathers suffered from Parkinson's Disease, and her mother has been coping with its effects herself since 2007. 2021 marks Aliya’s fifth year as co-chair of the committee, her seventh year on the committee, and her eighth year running with the team. Aliya has raised nearly $25,000 for P4P since 2014.
Greg Dreibelbis
Pacing for Parkinson's has been a great community for my family, especially my Dad, who suffers from Parkinson's. My participation has been limited in the past due to work, but I've always wanted to get more involved. This year (2022) will be my first year on the P4P committee and I'm excited to help grow the P4P community after seeing the positive impact it has had on my family. I'll also be running a half marathon at the Baltimore Running Festival in preparation for my first ever full marathon and look forward to the challenge as a way to support the P4P community.
Jennifer Eklof
I am an ICU trained nurse who has worked in the medical field for over 30+ years. My passion with Parkinson’s patients comes from my family’s intimate relationship with the disease. My father, uncle and grandfather all were diagnosed with PD. My grandfather endured PD for over 45 years since he was diagnosed in his early 40’s. My grandfather also was a pioneer PD study patient back in 1962. I currently work for AbbVie Inc. who launched a novel therapy for advancing PD in 2015. This therapy has helped more than 11,000 patients achieve a longer “on time” and less of the roller coaster ride they often experience. My dream is to be alive when the awesome scientists and most likely from Johns Hopkins University develops a cure for PD. (No pressure JHU!) We all need to keep the hope that one day soon this will be a reality!
Kathy Hobart
I came to P4P largely through running in the Baltimore Running Festival. My husband had been recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s and I was searching for a way to DO something. As a result, I met many wonderful people associated with Pacing for Parkinson’s and from there it was an easy step to become actively involved. I look forward to participating in many events as well as become educated about Parkinson’s and an advocate for those facing the challenges of Parkinson’s.
James Morissette
James is a member of the 2021 Pacing for Parkinson's Committee.
Mykaela Trees
I first joined the Pacing for Parkinson's Team in 2013 as Captain of Team Trees. I have been a member of the P4P Committee since 2019. My family joined P4P as a way to support my grandfather who was diagnosed with Parkinson's fairly young. My grandfather has since passed but we still run for P4P as a way to honor his memory. My grandfather was incredibly grateful for everything Johns Hopkins was able to do to support not only him but my grandmother who helped care for him. Being a part of the committee and Pacing is a great way to feel connected to others in the Parkinson's community and raise funds for those with Parkinson's who are involved at Johns Hopkins. I am excited for another great year with P4P and the committee!
I decided to get involved in Pacing for Parkinson’s because the need was genuine. The JHU PDMD center is committed to improving the lives of PD patients and their families. The challenge to do more is always there, and if we can help to enable even a few more programs it is well worth my time. This organization allows me to not only give back to an organization that benefitted my family tremendously, but also gives me an extreme amount of personal satisfaction that I am somehow able to bring those affected by Parkinson’s Disease closer as a community so that they can help each other.
