Creations for Parkinson's

Overview of the Creations for Parkinson's sim. All photos courtesy of Creations for Parkinson's.

The new Creations for Parkinson's sim opens today at noon SLT, with live entertainment, shopping and exploration with 100% of the proceeds benefiting The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

The Live Entertainment lineup is as follows:

Noon - 1 p.m. - Cyndi Burnstein
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. - Jaynine Scarborough
2 p.m. - 4 p.m. - DJ Lyxz Delicioso
4 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Clarice Karu
5 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Exxxquisite Magic
7 p.m. - 9 p.m. - DJ Decosta

The sim also boasts shops from  such well-known designers as Mohna Lisa Couture, SF Designs, Pulse, and GizzA, along with many others who have offered a 50/50 split of their sales to the cause.



Combining a wish to raise money for a worthwhile cause with a new sim devoted to some of the most entertaining activities in SL results in one of the most beautiful new locations I've seen. The new "Creations for Parkinson's" space raises money for the Michael J Fox Foundation, Team Fox for Parkinson's Research, in a venue that offers quality shopping, beautiful landscaping, dancing, live music, and many other fun activities.

I dropped by the sim earlier this week in advance of today's grand opening party and happened to meet up with sim owner Barbie Alchemi. Despite being busy with preparations, Barbie took some time to chat with me and show me around the site. The Creations for Parkinson's sim is the brainchild of Barbie and her brother, whose father died with Parkinson's and whose mother, now 85 years of age, lives with the condition as well. Barbie's mother has joined SL and gets a lot of enjoyment from seeing herself running and dancing again.

Barbie and her family have purchased the sim as permanent location to raise funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and 100% of the proceeds will go to that organization--the family will continue to cover sim costs without using donations to cover that expense. Donation kiosks in the shape of globes, ("Because Parkinson's is worldwide," says Barbie) are scattered about the site. Venues for dancing (both ballroom and casual) and sites for live music provide a draw for visitors and Barbie says that horseback riding, windsurfing and other outdoors activities will soon be offered around the sim.

The sim will also house a permanent Parkinson's education and resource center, where people can learn about the disease and get support from others.

 “Those of us in Second Life can have fun while knowing we are making a difference in the real world,” said mother Fran Seranade, 85, who was diagnosed eight years ago following the death of her husband who was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s. “Those who are affected by Parkinson's can learn about SL, a world where they can be free of physical limitations.”

       ABOUT TEAM FOX
Team Fox started in 2006 as the community fundraising division of The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Currently, Team Fox has over 1,500 active members and has raised more than $16 million toward accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Michael J. Fox Foundation, the largest private funder of Parkinson’s Research, pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program, and has invested more than $289 million in research to date. For more information, visit: michaeljfox.org; facebook.com/teamfox.