Tributes paid to “inspirational” Tom Isaacs

Perspectives

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 7 June 2017

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Social media users within Parkinson’s community and beyond, led by BBC journalist Jeremy Vine, have reacted to the death of The Cure Parkinson’s Trust co-founder Tom Isaacs

Emotional outpourings from social media users and Parkinson’s organisations have been published around the world in response to the news that Tom Isaacs, co-founder of The Cure Parkinson’s Trust, died on Wednesday 31 May.

Not long after the news broke, members of Parkinson’s community took to Twitter to pay their respects.

BBC Radio 2 journalist Jeremy Vine led the way, hailing the significance of the “beautiful” Parkinson’s campaigner.

Terrible news – we've lost the UK's most forceful campaigner on #Parkinsons, a beautiful man,
Tom Isaacs #RIP https://t.co/lmAH8iz1go

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) June 1, 2017

Parkinson’s UK CEO Steve Ford said it was a “very sad day” and described Isaacs as “such an inspiration”.

Such a sad day. Tom was such an inspiration to Parkinson's community. Thoughts are with everyone at @CureParkinsonsT https://t.co/DEFxvkDzoj

— Steve Ford (@SteveGFord) June 1, 2017

The Michael J Fox foundation spoke of the loss Parkinson’s community had experienced.

We join Parkinson’s community in mourning the loss of Tom Isaacs, President of The Cure Parkinson's Trust. https://t.co/c6ByzZBuZR

— michaeljfox.org (@MichaelJFoxOrg) June 2, 2017

Ann Hanley, founder of the Ann Hanley Parkinson’s Research Fund, revealed that it was Tom Isaacs who inspired her to start her own Parkinson’s organisation.

Ann said: “I am so devastated by the news. Tom was my friend and inspiration. He inspired me to start my own foundation.

“He was a giant among men, a visionary, a dreamer, a man who never gave up, who never quit. He made me laugh and was ever the optimist. I thank God for the privilege of knowing Tom and though saddened by his early demise, he will forever be with me in my thoughts and prayers as I continue to dedicate my life to our common cause.”

The British and Irish Lions, who hosted a charity dinner for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust in April, passed on a message of support.

The British & Irish Lions are very sad to hear the passing of the inspirational Tom Isaacs. https://t.co/e3acUAhKo7

— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 1, 2017

Twitter user Sara Houston commented on how important Isaacs had been in taking forward research into Parkinson’s disease.

Tom Isaacs was such a generous and inspiring man. He did much to influence grassroots and research action for #Parkinsons https://t.co/YAtV1Iq6cd

— Sara Houston (@SaraPMHouston) June 1, 2017

Lisa Vanderberg shared her devastation at the news, describing him as a “generous and inspiring man”.

I'm devastated. This wonderful man of such drive, grace and humor leaves an enormous wake of grief behind him. RIP https://t.co/hTQkQG8QoI

— Lisa Vanderburg (@PDDBSWife) June 2, 2017

Tom Isaac’s Parkinson’s Life highlights

Tom Isaacs: The road to fulfilment – from diagnosis to advocacy

Read this insightful piece discussing his psychological battle with Parkinson’s, April 2015.

Are we too focused on the search for a Parkinson’s cure?

Join the cure debate: a panel of experts, including Tom to argued as to whether Parkinson’s community is overly focused on finding a cure, January 2016.

5 inspirational moments from the World Parkinson Congress 2016

He received the World Parkinson Coalition ‘Award for Distinguished Contribution to Parkinson’s Community’ at the World Parkinson Congress, September 2016.

How I got Damien Hirst to make art for Parkinson’s

We interviewed Tom to find out more about how the ‘Cure³’ exhibition, a contemporary art exhibition and auction – which included work from Damien Hirst, Grayson Perry and Sarah Lucas – raised money for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust, January 2017.

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Tributes paid to “inspirational” Tom Isaacs

Perspectives

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 7 June 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Tributes paid to “inspirational” Tom Isaacs

Perspectives

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 7 June 2017

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Special reports

100 for Parkinson’s: patients suffer lower moods, higher stress levels and poorer sleep quality

PD in Practice

Over 1/3 of patients don’t receive enough info about Parkinson’s at diagnosis

Interviews

World Parkinson Congress 2019 Bloggers: Kirk Hall

Investigational Parkinson’s disease dementia therapy fails in clinical trial

A new intimacy guide aims to support people with Parkinson’s disease in the US

How prevalent are non-visual hallucinations in Parkinson’s disease?

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