Niki Crowe knows first-hand the effects of Parkinson's disease.
"My grandpa, Bill Sweetman, has been diagnosed with Parkinson's for over six years now," said Crowe, a senior in communication.
Crowe, along with Amy Horn, a senior in international studies, brought The American Marketing Association and Parkinson's Disease Awareness together for a pancake breakfast at the Wexner Plaza on Saturday. Almost five million people worldwide are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a chronic neurological disorder that has no known cure. Pancakes for Parkinson's raised funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research by giving pancakes to Buckeye fans before the game.
OSU fans and students came in honor of someone close to them who struggles with Parkinson's disease.
"My grandpa has Parkinson's, and has for as long as I can remember," said Kate Rownd, a third-year in early childhood education. "It is getting worse, and it's really sad to see." The event was hosted by Bob Evans, the AMA and PDA, and offered free pancakes. The event also featured a bake sale and entertainment from Brutus.
Crowe and Horn came together not just because they had close family suffering from Parkinson's Disease, but also because they wanted to make a difference.
"My little sister has Parkinson's, for about six years, and she is so young that it is rare," Horn said. "It is a different battle for her, and they can't even diagnose her because she is so young."
The goal of Pancakes for Parkinson's was to raise $10,000 or more for the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
"They need $1 million to create a new drug," said Crowe.
Their aim of $10,000 was quickly reached, and the bar was raised to a higher goal of $40,000. "We raised the goal because AK Steel donated $25,000," Crowe said.
Horn said one of the executive board members with Michael J. Fox matched the amount raised at the event.
This year was the first Pancakes for Parkinson's at OSU, but Crowe and Horn "want to work together every year to have one of these," Crowe said.
"OSU has such a warm, and accepting culture," Crowe said. "It gives students more outlets and ways to participate for a good cause."
Abby Hooper can be reached at Lantern hooper.57@osu.edu.
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