EpiCure for Parkinson’s

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research raised more than $450,000—and counting—at its sold-out fourth annual EpiCure for Parkinson’s, welcoming more than 600 guests to The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers for an evening shaped by personal stories, shared purpose and the promise of a future without Parkinson’s.

At the heart of EpiCure is co-chair and Michael J. Fox Foundation Board member Sue Bilotta, who created the event in honor of her mother, who fought Parkinson’s disease for 26 years before passing away in 2017. Before her mother died, Bilotta made her a promise that she would continue working toward a cure, and EpiCure became one way of carrying that promise forward.

Sue Bilotta, Hin Tsui, Anerudhan Padmanabhan, Thomas Moore and Dan Spencer

Chefs

Matt & Sharon Levy with Debi Brooks

The spirit of the event was inspired by the things her mother loved most. As Bilotta described her, “She loved food, music, drinking, and the gathering of people,” and those passions became the foundation for a fundraiser designed to feel warm, celebratory and deeply personal.

Bilotta’s story was echoed by others throughout the evening. Samantha Zola and Shira Kolomeysky of Zola Bakes shared that Parkinson’s has affected both of their families, giving their participation a personal significance that goes far beyond serving dessert. They have been part of EpiCure since its launch in 2023 and have watched the event grow alongside the Foundation.

“Parkinson’s has affected both of our families so we found it really important to give back, and the best way we know how to do that is through our cookies,” they said. “Being able to come here and support Parkinson’s research and bring awareness to the disease is really important to us.”

Those stories gave the evening its emotional center and reinforced why EpiCure has resonated so strongly with supporters. “Tonight is about so much more than coming together to enjoy incredible food. It’s about uniting our community around a shared commitment and extraordinary progress in Parkinson’s disease research,” Bilotta said. “At a time when progress is moving faster than ever and new possibilities are coming into reach, every person in this room has a role to play in helping accelerate progress and bringing us closer to a world without Parkinson’s.”

EpiCure VIP Cocktail Bar

Samantha Zola and Shira Kolomeysky of Zola Bake

Kylie Zarro, Bryan Roberts, Delaney Ager, Holly Teichholtz

This year’s EpiCure arrived shortly after the launch of the Foundation’s All Grit. No Quit. campaign, its first comprehensive fundraising campaign, created to build on recent scientific advances and push promising work toward better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. The Michael J. Fox Foundation has invested more than $2.5 billion in Parkinson’s research to date and is the world’s largest nonprofit funder in the field.

Its work spans scientific studies, clinical research, patient engagement and major initiatives such as its landmark PPMI study, which provides researchers with extensive data and biological samples to deepen understanding of Parkinson’s and accelerate new discoveries.

The evening then unfolded as the lively culinary celebration Bilotta envisioned in honor of her mother. Twenty restaurants and culinary teams participated, with the lineup including Bánh by Lauren, Bessou, Cafe Spaghetti, Cecchi’s Bar and Grill, Der Pioneer, Elea, estiatorio Milos, Gotham Burger Social Club, La Maison du Chocolat, Le Botaniste, Morton’s The Steakhouse at World Trade Center, Nom Wah, Perry St, Soso’s, Travelers, Poets & Friends, Veerays, Wayla and Zola Bakes.

The Lighthouse restaurant chefs

DJ Valentina

Nom Wah tasting sample

The diverse lineup reflected the breadth of New York City’s dining scene, with savory dishes, desserts and cocktails creating the feel of a citywide tasting experience under one roof. DJ Valentina provided music throughout the night, while a silent auction offered guests another way to contribute, with standout items including a signed jersey from New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson and a Pebble Beach golf experience.

The evening was led by Bilotta and fellow co-chair Scott Schefrin, alongside Leadership Committee members Alexandra Cherubini, Bret Parker, Dana Toor, Dev Chodry, Dianne Udwadia, Harvey Silikovitz, Jessica Rauchman, Michelle Tarr, Omar Abdel-Hafez and Shira and Loren Berger.

What makes EpiCure especially memorable is how clearly its origin remains visible even as the event continues to grow. It began with a daughter, a promise to her mother after a 26-year battle with Parkinson’s, and a desire to create something around the things her mother loved most. Four years later, that promise has grown into a sold-out gathering of more than 600 people and raised more than $450,000 this year alone—turning memory into action, personal loss into momentum for change, and one family’s story into a powerful step toward a future without Parkinson’s.

Learn more about The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and its work toward a world without Parkinson’s.