Photo courtesy of the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness
Campaign will expand access to innovative, evidence-based wellness programs for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
(Farmington Hills, MI)— The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness (KGC) announced Inspiring Hope, a $30 million philanthropic campaign. The campaign will expand access to evidence-based movement and cognitive wellness programs, education, and community support for people and families affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD). Already, $15.5 million has been raised toward the $30 million goal, providing significant momentum for the next phase of KGC’s growth.
Since opening in October 2025,
KGC has quickly established itself as a beacon of hope for Parkinson’s wellness. More than 1,200 Members are now participating in specialized programs, far exceeding the Center’s original projection of reaching 800 Members by the end of 2026. Membership is expected to reach over 1,500 by year-end and nearly double again over the next few years.
The unprecedented response demonstrates both the growing need for Parkinson’s specific wellness programs and the impact of KGC’s approach. Parkinson’s is the nation’s fastest growing neurological disease which is progressive in nature and can affect movement, balance, cognition, independence, and quality of life. Yet many individuals face barriers to accessing consistent, specialized exercise and wellness programs.
KGC is helping change that by offering all programming free of charge and creating a community where people with Parkinson’s can remain active, connected, and engaged throughout their journey.
Early Member outcomes are encouraging.
As participants complete their six-month and one-year reassessments, they are reporting improved function, greater confidence, stronger social connections, and increased hope for the future.
“Our Members are showing us what is possible when people living with Parkinson’s have access to Parkinson’s specific programs, expert guidance, and a community that understands their journey,” said Mary Lynn Foster, CEO of the Center. “Inspiring Hope will allow us to build on this momentum, reach more people earlier, and ensure that KGC can continue delivering improved quality of life and meaningful impact for years to come.”
KGC’s extraordinary growth has created an equally extraordinary opportunity, and an urgent need to expand capacity. The Center is now planning for a future in which thousands of individuals and families can benefit from programs that were once difficult or impossible to access.
Inspiring Hope will provide the resources necessary to responsibly scale KGC’s high-impact programs while maintaining the quality and individualized experience Members have come to expect.
“This campaign is about much more than adding classes or expanding a facility,” said Steve Annear, CEO of the Kirk Gibson Foundation. “It is an investment in the health, independence, resilience, and hope of an entire community. Our responsibility is to grow thoughtfully so that every Member continues to receive the exceptional experience that defines KGC.”
Inspiring Hope represents the next phase of KGC’s long-term vision.
Philanthropy has already played a critical role in making the Center’s opening possible. The $30 million campaign will provide the resources needed to support mission delivery over the next decade as KGC builds a diversified revenue model anchored by ongoing annual fundraising and a future endowment.
At its core, Inspiring Hope is an investment in possibility. It is an investment in the person newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s who wants to remain active and independent. It is an investment in individuals who have struggled to find programs designed specifically for their needs. It is an investment in families seeking connection, education, and support. And it is an investment in a future to redefine what it means to be living with Parkinson’s, not just existing.
To learn more about Inspiring Hope or support The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness, visit kirkgibsoncenter.org
About The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s:
The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s was formed by former professional baseball player and iconic Detroit Tiger, Kirk Gibson, after his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease in 2015. Gibson spends his time supporting his mission and vision of spreading awareness for Parkinson’s and providing inspiration and hope to others who are living with Parkinson’s.
The mission of the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s is to improve the quality of life of those living with Parkinson’s through the development and delivery of activity-based programs. Over the years and through fundraising events, the foundation has had the goal of opening a center focused on that mission. This mission became a reality in October 2025 when the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness officially opened. It is the first of its kind in Michigan and is located at 31440 Northwestern Highway in Farmington Hills. The wellness center is a world-class facility where those impacted by Parkinson’s can access a range of activity-based programs, completely free of charge.
The Center provides a series of free evidence-based programs tailored for people with Parkinson’s disease. Movement matters in the fight against Parkinson’s and the Kirk Gibson Center provides an integrated, holistic system of wellness programs designed to counteract the symptoms of the disease and to improve the quality of life of those people living with Parkinson’s disease here in Michigan. The Kirk Gibson Center is more than a facility; it is a beacon of hope. It is where people with Parkinson’s discover they are not alone, where they find strength in numbers and they learn that while Parkinson’s may change their lives, it does not have to define them. The center has become a place for education, empowerment, community, and connection and serves as a model for collaborative coalitions in support of people living with Parkinson’s.
Follow The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s social:
Facebook and Instagram: @KirkGibsonFoundation
LinkedIn: @KirkGibsonFoundationForParkinson’s
X: @KirkGibsonFDN
