The format has changed over the years, as have the people, the locations and the colors of the jerseys. But the mission of the Sunflower Revolution – to educate, raise awareness and fund Parkinson’s disease research – has never wavered. This year organizers can proudly say the event “has legs,” as the Sunflower Revolution marks its 10th iteration with a free symposium for patients, family members and caregivers on Sept. 7 and a family-friendly Fitness Festival on Sept. 8. The Fitness Festival benefits the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders at the UC Neuroscience Institute, one of four institutes of the UC College of Medicine and UC Health.

“The Sunflower Revolution has been a vital part of our connection to the Parkinson’s community of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana,” says Fredy J. Revilla, MD, Medical Director of the Gardner Center and Associate Professor of Neurology. “All of us at the Gardner Center have made lifelong friends through this event, and we are honored to have given back to our patients and families through our contributions to research and education.”

From left: Drs. Fredy J. Revilla, Kim Seroogy, George Mandybur and Alberto Espay at the 2007 Sunflower Revolution bike ride.

Since its inception, the Sunflower Revolution has served nearly 4,000 patients and has raised more than $1.5 million.

The Sunflower Revolution was named and founded in 2004 by Kathleen Krumme, a Cincinnati cyclist and manager at Oakley Cycles whose father, the late Donald Krumme, suffered from Parkinson’s disease. The sunflower is a ubiquitous sight at the Tour de France, the world’s most famous cycling event, and it has long been viewed as a symbol of joy and hope.

Davis Phinney

John M. Tew, MD, Clinical Director of the UC Neuroscience Institute, recalls the moment in 2003 when he was biking with Kathy on a road outside Newtown, Ohio, and Kathy first mentioned her desire to do something to benefit Parkinson’s research. “Kathy said to me, ‘Do you know anyone who knows something about Parkinson’s disease? I have a friend, and he wants to team up with an institution to help raise awareness. His name is Davis Phinney.’”

“Yes,” Dr. Tew replied. “I know an institution that would be a perfect match.’”

Here, briefly, is a look back through 10 years of Sunflower Revolution events.

Jo Dee Messina

2004: Kathy Krumme brings Davis Phinney, the two-time Tour de France cyclist who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 40, to Cincinnati for the inaugural 100k bike ride and gala and helps him establish the Davis Phinney Foundation. More than 75 cyclists participate. Country music star Jo Dee Messina performs an unforgettable set at the gala as a gift to Davis. An online raffle, conceived by David Ariosa of Oakley Cycles and  sponsored by Serotta Competition Bicycles and Shimano USA lifts the event well past break-even, and the result is a $100,000 gift to the UC Neuroscience Institute’s blossoming Parkinson’s program.

2005: The morning after the 2004 event, Davis, Kathy and Cindy Starr (a UCNI contract employee) brainstorm about the possibility of adding an educational symposium for physicians and patients to the Sunflower event. The free event in 2005 marks the first such patient symposium at the UC Neuroscience Institute and serves as a model for other UCNI centers in years to come. Dr. Tew is honored for his role in launching the UC Neuroscience Institute and its Parkinson’s center, and Kitty Strauss and her husband, Peter Strauss, are honored for their courage and commitment to people with Parkinson’s disease. Phil Liggett, the renowned cycling commentator, regales the gala audience with stories, and Melody Sawyer Richardson parlays an auction item into the Sunflower Encore dinner and musicale at her home.

2006: Ms. Richardson (above left) and Francie Schott Hiltz (center) serve as gala co-chairs and Local 12’s Cammy Dierking (right) is emcee. James Orr of Convergys serves as Corporate Steering Committee Chairman, and the event continues to build its educational symposium and bike rides. For their leadership in the search for a cure for Parkinson’s, business leader Thomas Petry and Local 12 news anchor Rob Brown receive the Every Victory Counts Award.

2007:  The Sunflower event adds a 10k ride, and Joseph Broderick, MD, UCNI’s Research Director, and Rob Braun are gala co-chairs. Robert Kohlhepp of Cintas chairs the corporate steering committee, and Jim and Cathy Orr are honorary chairs. Sunflower funds, donated through the Davis Phinney Foundation, support four major Parkinson’s research projects totaling $180,000. The Parkinson’s center is endowed with a $5.5 million gift and a new name: the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorders.

2008: Honorees are Linda and Bob Kohlhepp and Joan and Dave Szkutak, and Ambassador and future U.S. Senator Rob Portman (above with Dr. Tew) graces our ride again. Reflecting on his favorite Sunflower memories, Dr. Broderick recalls “the colorful jerseys, the excitement of a beautiful late summer morning, Davis’s terrific enthusiasm, and my son and his best friend participating in their first cycling event.”

2009: Sunflower adopts a new slogan: Move to Live, Live to Move … Christa McAlpin, an events specialist for the Mayfield Clinic, reflects on a favorite Sunflower memory. “My 30th birthday fell on the Sunflower Symposium day [pictured above] in 2009,” she says. “Everyone who worked on the program signed a birthday card and celebrated with me after the symposium ended. That’s memorable to me, but even more importantly, I have enjoyed watching this symposium and fundraising event grow over the years. I started working on the symposium in 2006 and have learned so much about the PD community since then and have met so many amazing people. It’s a caring community, and I think that is what helps make this such a popular event each year. I am proud to be a part of it all!”

2010: Kathy Krumme (above with Sunflower supporter Buck Niehoff) is the winner in the community outreach category at the Cincinnati Business Courier’s annual Health Care Heroes awards. In nominating her, Dr. Tew writes: “The Sunflower Revolution owes its existence to Kathy, who had an idea, took a financial risk and ignited a cause … With a small amount of seed money, Kathy plunged in, signing a hotel contract and praying that she would bring in enough donors to pay for the inaugural Sunflower Revolution dinner and bike ride.” … The 2010 ride and a new 5k walk draw 900 participants. Ron Carson and his wife, Penny, are honorary event chairs, and Jerry Wuest of Lawrenceburg, Ind., is honored with the Victory award. Jerry and his wife, Sandy, in conjunction with the Parkinson’s Disease Support Network of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to UC over the years in support of Parkinson’s research.

2011: The Sunflower bike ride takes a year’s sabbatical to re-organize and re-energize. The Sunflower Symposium continues, however, bringing in hundreds of patients and family members to learn about new research and living well with Parkinson’s disease. Carol Simons, above with Dr. Revilla, is honored with the Victory Award.

2012: Linda Armstrong, above center, a longtime advocate for people with Parkinson’s disease, is honored with the Victory Award. Ms. Armstrong, an Aurora, Ind., resident who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2000 at age 54, is active in support groups, fund-raising and advocacy. She is the creator of beautiful necklaces, bracelets and sea glass pins, which she sells under the title, “Beading for a Parkinson’s Cure.” All proceeds benefit the Gardner Center … Kathy Krumme rides the 40k with a young boy who rides in support of a friend and a friend’s father, who has Parkinson’s.

2013: We invite you to join us as we Move to Live, and Live to Move on Sept. 7 and 8.

Sunflower Honorees

2012 Linda Armstrong
2011 Carol Simons
2010 Jerry Wuest; Ron and Penny Carson
2009 Florence & Ron Koetters; Barb and Dale Ankenman
2008 Linda and Bob Kohlhepp; Joan and Dave Szkutak
2007 Kathy Krumme
2006 Rob Braun; Tom Petry
2005 John M. Tew, MD; Kitty & Peter Strauss

— Cindy Starr

Bipolar disorder is a condition characterized by extremes. Dr. Melissa DelBello describes the disorder as one that includes periods of extremely elevated mood as well as periods of severe depression. During these cycles the risk of suicide is high and relationships often suffer with family members, coworkers and friends.  Dr. DelBello explains that understanding the symptoms of bipolar disorder is crucial to the future of its treatment.

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Wayne Frisbie recalls his experience as a patient at the UC Brain Tumor Center and as a guest at the Musekamp Family Hope Lodge. Photos by Cindy Starr / Mayfield Clinic

The American Cancer Society and its supporters kicked up their spurs last Saturday night, as they raised funds to “create more birthdays” for people with cancer and to support the Musekamp Family Hope Lodge during the annual Cattle Baron’s Ball at Teal Lake Farm, in Batavia, Ohio.

Dr. John Tew with UC Brain Tumor Center supporter Rich Seal at the Cattle Baron’s Ball.

The Hope Lodge, located less than a mile from UC Health’s University Hospital, offers free, comfortable housing for patients who travel to Cincinnati for cancer treatment. It is one of 32 Hope Lodges owned and operated by the American Cancer Society.
John M. Tew, Jr., MD, was the evening’s honoree, celebrated for his decades-long commitment to caring for people with brain tumors. And he shared the spotlight with one of his patients, Wayne Frisbie, who traveled to Cincinnati for surgical treatment of an acoustic neuroma last March and who made Hope Lodge his home during that time.

A transcript of Mr. Frisbie’s poignant, heart-felt testimonial follows:

First, I would like to thank the American Cancer Society and Dr. John Tew for inviting me to be here to share my story.

Being able to have a place to stay without charge while going through something this serious is wonderful. The Hope Lodge isn’t just any “place.” It is like home, offering patients and caregivers a chance to help one another during a difficult time. The staff is terrific, and it truly feels like home.

The Musekamp Family Hope Lodge has provided more than 23,000 nights of no-cost lodging, saving patients and their caregivers $3.3 million. Guests travel from all over the country to stay here. I came from Chicago, and the Hope Lodge has accommodated guests from three other countries, 33 different states, and 66 counties in Ohio. Dr. Tew really gave me hope when I thought I had no other options, and the Hope Lodge lessened my fears.

My journey began in August of 2004, when minor hearing loss and ringing in my ears presented. Several tests raised suspicion with my doctor, who ordered an MRI, revealing a 1-centimeter acoustic neuroma stemming from the left acoustic nerve. I was advised to have surgery immediately, since sooner was better than later.

I was referred to a Chicago surgeon, who informed me that his approach would definitely result in single-sided deafness, with some balance issues. Because my profession mandates hearing on both sides, I decided to wait and monitor the tumor. I had regular MRI scans until about 2007, when I stopped monitoring the growth. Still, I continued to research hearing-sparing procedures as well as assistive devices in the event my hearing would be lost.

Philip Theodosopoulos, MD, a neurosurgeon and brain tumor specialist, and his wife, Josefa Rangel, MD, showed their support for the American Cancer Society and Hope Lodge.

Then, in the summer of 2011, I began to notice more hearing loss and ringing, along with noticeable loss of balance. A return visit with the doctor and subsequent MRI revealed the tumor had grown to almost 3 centimeters. The only option now was removal.

Again, not satisfied with the surgical approach offered in Chicago, I began further research, which led me to the Mayfield Clinic Web site. There, I found the most information I had ever seen, including diagrams outlining the various methods to surgically remove the tumor, as well as video interviews from patients who had undergone the same surgery.

I immediately contacted the office of Dr. Tew and mailed a CD of the MRI and audiogram. I was contacted by a representative from Dr. Tew’s office shortly thereafter. I met with Dr. Tew in January of 2012 and immediately knew I had found the best care. I signed the consent form and scheduled surgery for March 6. From that point, members from Dr. Tew’s staff managed everything, including lodging arrangements at the Hope Lodge.

Upon arrival at the Lodge on March 5, we were welcomed by a wonderful lady named Nancy, who provided us with a complete tour of the facility and all amenities, offering emotional support as well.

After we settled in, I began to relax, ready to accept the next day with less anxiety. It was comforting to know that my family members would be comfortable during my surgery and post-op recovery. The Lodge also provides home-cooked meals regularly from various volunteer organizations, offering us a chance to network and share experiences.

Wayne Frisbie, right, with his sister-in-law, Deborah Frisbie (left), and niece, Ellen Frisbie (center).

After discharge from the University Hospital, I returned to the Lodge to begin my recovery. I found an inviting, peaceful environment, and I never felt away from home or my healthcare network. The Hope Lodge is about half a mile from the hospital. I had no worries should any post-op complications arise.

As of today, I feel good. I am currently unable to return to my profession, because I cannot meet the hearing standard. However, I am grateful to Dr. Tew and to the American Cancer Society for this wonderful resource.

Thank you.