JAX HOPE INC., originally Rock Steady Boxing Jacksonville, Florida, opened its doors on January 9, 2017, to 9 brave and hopeful people wanting to fight back against Parkinson's Disease.  Kristen Gray, a person with Young Onset PD, moved to the Jacksonville area, and discovered this area had very limited resources for People with Parkinson’s. She teamed up with Bill and Marilyn Wilson to develop a rock-steady program. This program has proven to help Parkinson’s Patients slow down their progression and, in some cases, even stop the progression of this incurable disease, and in just 9 months made this program a reality for the Jacksonville PD community as a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization. Seeing the family of determined fighters growing each week was a thrill.

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In 2021, JAX HOPE INC. expanded its mission by assisting existing Parkinson’s Support Groups to become a larger influence in their communities as well as creating new groups. Jax Hope also organizes educational and social events for the Parkinson’s Community. Jax Hope also assists in the creation of exercise programs, which includes yoga, tai chi, calisthenics, and Rock Steady Boxing. Currently there are 15 Parkinson’s groups in the Jax Hope network, reaching from Southern Georgia to Central Florida. With an estimated number of 25,000 people in the Jacksonville area with Parkinson’s our mission is far from over.   

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Our entire board of directors have direct ties to the Parkinson’s Community, members include Marilyn Wilson, Dr. Terry Hermiston, Alaine Keebaugh, Dr. Phillip Tipton, Sharon Swander, and Gregg Hummer. 

 

In 2025 and beyond Jax Hope Inc. will continue to reach out the People with Parkinson’s to give them the resources they need to live a fulfilled life.