A local pickleball tournament recently brought the community together in Southwestern Ontario to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s disease.

What started as a personal effort by Barb Myers after her partner Ron was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019 has grown into a popular community event. Through similar initiatives, Myers has helped raise nearly $300,000 over the past three years to support people living with Parkinson’s, their families, and local research.

On January 24, dozens of pickleball players of all ages and skill levels gathered at the Pinnacle Fieldhouse and Training Academy for a special tournament supporting Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario. The event focused on fun, connection, and raising awareness rather than serious competition. Players were randomly paired for each game, making the experience inclusive and social.

The response from the community was strong as participants travelled from towns like Dorchester, Mitchell, and Sarnia after seeing the event online. Organizer Barb Myers said the support meant a lot, and every dollar raised would go directly to Parkinson’s programs and research. Beyond fundraising, Barb Myers hopes the event helps people understand Parkinson’s, a disease that affects everyone differently, with symptoms like tremors, stiffness, sleep problems, or mood changes. Myers credits the community for helping her raise nearly $300,000.

Source: Rob Ross, StratfordToday