In the cherished memory of Sharon Riff Ackerman, we, as a family, have come together to form TogetherForSharon® for Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure. I wanted a place where people could find information since I could not when I needed help desperately.
Sharon Ackerman, my mother, endured the profound tribulations of advanced Parkinson's Disease, which deeply affected our family. For over a year, she faced the most severe stage of the illness, devoid of quality life, and despite the concerted efforts of numerous physicians in Florida, her condition remained without a cure.
I painstakingly recorded her decline over the last eight months, a period that profoundly disturbs me to this day. Until 2014, she lived a full life despite her decade-long battle with the disease, cherishing Sundays with her grandchildren. Her health, however, deteriorated rapidly following a failed clinical trial in 2017.
TogetherForSharon® stands as a beacon of solidarity for those affected by Parkinson's, and their families, serving as a platform for education, support, and advocacy. We believe that by sharing Sharon's story, and the stories of countless others bravely facing this condition, we can foster a deeper understanding of Parkinson's and its impacts.
My main focus in life today is Parkinson’s disease awareness and hope for a cure in my mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman’s memory. Together, we can ensure that the narrative of Parkinson's is one of hope and that Sharon's memory continues to inspire a brighter future for all.
“My mother was the most caring, loving, positive person I know, and always put her family and friends first.”
The wristband band was created in January 2020 as a tribute to my mom, and to raise awareness of Parkinson's Disease, as we continue to hope for a cure, in memory of my mom Sharon Riff Ackerman. We have self-paid and send over 1,500 around the United States so those who want to help keep my mother’s memory alive, support awareness and hope for a cure. If you go to togetherforsharon.com we post many of the individuals’ pictures with the band selfie and share it with over 5,000 people on social media.
We help fundraise and participate in events for the American Parkinson’s Disease Association (Optimism Walk), Parkinson’s Foundation (Moving Day) and Team Fox, the Michael J Fox Foundation. All donations that go to those organizations have a direct link in my mother’s memory at togetherforsharon.com.
I have met so many incredible people who are also going through the effects of this horrible disease and caretakers. I have partnered with organizations around the world and feature them on social media and togetherforsharon.com to reach more individuals around the world together.
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Together For Sharon: Strengthening Awareness
Dr. George Ackerman, a native of Brooklyn, New York, has since established his roots in Florida where he dedicates himself to law, policing, and education. On the first day of the year 2020, Dr. Ackerman faced the loss of his beloved mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman, to the relentless progression of Parkinson's Disease.
In the wake of this personal tragedy, Dr. Ackerman found himself driven to honor his mother's memory and to contribute meaningfully to the Parkinson’s awareness movement. It was within the warm embrace of family that TogetherForSharon® was conceived—a heartfelt initiative founded not only to preserve the cherished memory of Sharon Riff Ackerman but also to propagate the vital message of Parkinson’s Awareness and the enduring hope for a cure.
TogetherForSharon.com now extends its reach across the nation, becoming a beacon of awareness for Parkinson's Disease (PD). In his current endeavors, Dr. Ackerman engages with voices within the Parkinson’s community—ranging from various foundations and devoted caregivers to the indomitable Parkinson’s warriors themselves—amplifying their narratives and advocacies through candid interviews. These dialogues serve not only as a platform for sharing but also as a testament to the collective resilience and hope that binds the community together.
I am grateful for the opportunity to share my mother’s story. I am just the son of an incredible woman who deserved better then and if we had a cure, she would still be with us right now. She was too young to pass away and missed out on 15 years of her life struggling with Parkinson’s disease. I miss her every second of every day. She was my best friend.
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Join us in a heartfelt journey at TogetherForSharon™, where each click, each visit, each story shared, helps us weave a lasting tapestry in honor of Sharon Riff Ackerman's memory.
