We are rebels with a cause. Every stride, step, stroke is a step toward the cure. #EndurancePhilanthropy
Join the journey and the fight against Parkinson’s by donating today (link in bio).
The @orlandosentinel 's @PConnPie caught Team Human Powered Potential’s Second Wave training row earlier this month, diving into the story behind their mission to row the +5,000-mile Great American Loop to raise funds to end #Parkinson’s disease.
“We are bigger than the disease, that's really what this is all about,” said Team Captain Ashley Ellis, who has early-onset Parkinson's disease, of her all-female team of six. “There's a sisterhood, a friendship and a bond that we share as part of this. The relationship part of this journey is maybe even more important than the physical effort itself.”
The Second Wave team is continuing HPP’s mission, building on HPP’s inaugural record-setting row across the Pacific Ocean, which raised $43 million for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and made Patrick Morrisey the first person with Parkinson’s to complete the route. 100% of all funds raised from HPP adventures go to support @michaeljfoxorg .
@teamfoxmjff
“Have hope that there's something more for you. What's so beautiful about this mission is the opportunity to inspire others to keep moving.”
Human Powered Potential’s Second Wave Team Captain Ashley Ellis, who is living with #Parkinson’s, spoke with @KETKLaurenMargolis at @fox35orlando ahead of the team’s training row in Sanford, Florida about how staying active can help ease symptoms. 💙🚣
The team is preparing to row the +5,000-mile Great American Loop to raise funds to end Parkinson’s. If they succeed, the #SecondWave crew will become the first all-women’s team to complete the route, and Ashley will be the first person living with Parkinson’s to row it. 100% of funds raised support @michaeljfoxorg@teamfoxmjff
This row was never just about crossing an ocean. It was about proving that the human spirit can endure any challenge we face — especially when we face it together. Read the full story: /2026/03/the-row/
#ParkinsonsDisease #ParkinsonsAwareness #ParkinsonsResearch #AdventurePhilanthropy #EnduranceSports #EnduranceTraining #TrainHard #EndurancePhilanthropy
Meet #SecondWave team captain Ashley Ellis as she prepares to row 5000+ miles to raise money for @michaeljfoxorg . Join the journey and the fight against Parkinson’s by donating today (link in bio).
"Ordinary hands. Extraordinary hearts."
"Rowing the Ocean of Hope” is a a poem about Human Powered Potential's Pacific crossing and our next adventure, the Second Wave's +5,000-mile nautical odyssey around the Great American Loop, starting April 2027.
This poem links both journeys. It reminds us that Parkinson's may be the storm, but we are the wave. With movement as our medicine and courage as our compass, we're pushing toward a world without this disease.
Watch the video. Share it with your network. And donate to @teamfox and @michaeljfoxorg to help find a cure for Parkinson’s.
TOGETHER, WE CAN CURE PARKINSON’S
Team HPP is officially passing the oars of the American Spirit boat to a new crew! Led by team captain Ashley Ellis, who is living with Parkinson’s disease, the Second Wave team will become the first EVER all-female team to row the +5,000-mile nautical odyssey known as the Great American Loop in 2027 to raise funds for @teamfoxmjff and @michaeljfoxorg to help find a cure for Parkinson’s.
Support us at link in bio.
VOTE NOW! Link in Stories
We’re honored that 'Crossing the Pacific for Parkinson’s Disease' featuring Team Human Powered Potential has been nominated for the People’s Telly Award! 🏆
This powerful short film follows our story—four rowers who crossed 2,800 miles from California to Hawaii in 41 days to raise awareness and over $43M for Parkinson’s research.
From 30-foot swells to broken oars, our journey across the Pacific proved that when we move forward together, we can push past any limit and redefine what’s possible.
Now we need your help. Cast your vote now through April 17. Every vote makes a difference!
Thank you for supporting Team HPP!
VOTE HERE: /PublicVoting#/2026/peoples-telly/general/non-broadcast/crossing-the-pacific-for-parkinsons-disease
41 DAYS
2,800 MILES
SALT SORES
SEA SICKNESS
TWO HOURS ROWING
TWO HOURS REST
$43 MILLION RAISED FOR PARKINSON’S
No engines. No shortcuts. Just Human Powered Potential.
Join the journey and the fight against Parkinson’s by donating to @michaeljfoxorg (link in bio).
🎧 NEW EPISODE 🎧
Ep 12 - How a Birthday Challenge Became a $43M Mission for Parkinson’s | Patrick Morrissey and Brendan Cusick
Brendan Cusick wanted to do something big for his 50th birthday.
That idea turned into a 2,800-mile row across the Pacific Ocean.
Patrick Morrissey came into it as a friend, an athlete, and someone recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s who thought he might help as a spokesperson. A few months later, he was part of the rowing team.
On this episode we talk about:
▶️ How the team came together and committed to the row
▶️ What the ocean voyage demanded physically and mentally
▶️ How the mission grew into something far bigger than anyone expected
▶️ The role of support from family and the Parkinson’s community
▶️ How this experience redefines what’s possible with Parkinson’s
🎧 Listen now (link in bio)
#Parkinsons #PDCommunity #AthleteMindset #Resilience #EnduranceAthlete #ParkinsonsPodcast #HumanPoweredPotential
With Pat & Dena Morrissey, Human Powered Potential -World’s Toughest Row It Will Take All of Us to Cure Parkinson’s with the Michael J. Fox Foundation /it-will-take-all-of-us-to-cure-parkinsons-2/
TogetherForSharon® In memory of my mother, Sharon to voice awareness & hope for a Parkinson’s Disease cure.
