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East Bay woman's nonprofit uses pickleball to help battle Parkinson's disease

By Sharon Chin

/ CBS San Francisco

An East Bay woman is using the sport of pickleball to help find a cure for Parkinson's disease.

About one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson's disease, and every six minutes, someone is newly diagnosed, according to the Parkinson's Foundation.

At first, Nancy Munson played pickleball just for fun as her husband, Larry, found other ways of staying active while living with Parkinson's disease.

"Exercise was key - it can help slow down the progression of this disease," said Munson, who retired to become her husband's full-time care partner several years ago.

But she wanted to do more to raise awareness about Parkinson's. 

She found her answer on a webinar of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. It was about the power of women in philanthropy, and advised people to take action on something they were passionate about.

"I'm passionate about bringing awareness to this disease to the community," Munson said. "And second of all, I love playing pickleball. It's so much fun, and it's a great sport, and I love it. And ding! Pickleball 4 Parkinson's!" 

She served up a tournament where she and Larry lived at Rossmoor, an active community in Walnut Creek for people aged 55 and over. The tournament and her nonprofit, called Pickleball 4 Parkinson's, raise money for The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Steering committee member Lu de Silva jumped in as one of the first to volunteer.

"Nancy's leadership? She inspires, she has the energy, she will go out and talk to people without hesitation," de Silva said.

And the community responded with overwhelming support. The first pickleball tournament in 2023 drew hundreds of people and raised $52,000 - more than triple its goal.

The annual tournament continued to grow and exceed expectations, with $83,000 raised in 2024 and $116,000 in 2025.

In all, Pickleball 4 Parkinson's has raised more than a quarter-million dollars to cure a disease that's touched many lives.

"You have no idea how many people know somebody with Parkinson's - a relative, a loved one, a roommate in college," Munson said.

Even as his health deteriorated over the years, from problems with balance to difficulty swallowing, Larry Munson cheered Nancy on until he passed away in the fall of 2025.

"I felt honored being his caregiver," Munson said. "I learned a lot - I learned the importance of being patient and being understanding."

Larry's spirit still drives the team, which is gearing up for the 2026 Pickleball 4 Parkinson's tournament on June 1st.

Terry Cater, who lives with PD, has supported Pickleball 4 Parkinson's from the start, admiring Larry's hope and perseverance and Nancy's determination.

"It's really a love story," Cater said. "He was sick, and she was bound and determined to not just sit on the sidelines but to also do something about it."

Parkinson's research is seeing advances, including biomarkers for early detection. The Michael J. Fox Foundation says Munson's contribution is making a difference.

"We continue to be inspired by the passion and creativity of incredible Team Fox members, like Nancy," said Stephanie Paddock, vice president, community fundraising and events at The Michael J. Fox Foundation. "Nancy joined this mission out of love for her late husband, and she is driven to continue this work in the hope of a cure for other families impacted by this disease. Parkinson's research is having a remarkable moment - accelerating at lightning speed. This scientific momentum is made possible through individuals like Nancy who do all they can to help us bring an end to Parkinson's for good."

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