Fiends, family gather in Geneva to raise funds for Parkinson's research

The adults looked over hundreds of silent auction items, from Carrie Underwood concert tickets to Chicago Blackhawks jerseys. They stopped at the beer counter called "Ruby Lounge" for a cold one on a brilliant summer afternoon.

And they talked and laughed with friends and neighbors who once again filled up the grounds at Tanna Farms in Geneva Saturday for the fourth annual Concert for a Cure to fund Parkinson's disease research.

Adults weren't the only ones involved in supporting the daylong music extravaganza, featuring more than a dozen bands of all music genres to aid the Paul Ruby Foundation.

Just as many children of all ages were in attendance or working as volunteers to support the cause and embrace its message.

The younger bands performing, like the Hix Bros. Junior All-Stars, featuring students from the Hix Bros. Music shops, helped fuel that youthful support.

A documentary film shown to Geneva students last week about Paul Ruby and his foundation, made by Erika Simpson, a 2010 Geneva High School graduate, also created more interest.

Simpson, in attendance again Saturday with film camera in tow to work on Part 2 of her documentary, was working double-duty as a face-painter for enthusiastic kids.

"This part will be a little more in-depth about how they do the research," Simpson said. "I worked on the first part for more than a year, so there is a lot involved in it."

The interest and dedication of younger people is not lost on Ruby, the 47-year-old general manager of the Herrington Inn in Geneva who was diagnosed with Parkinson's four years ago and created his foundation to increase awareness about the crippling disease that generally affects older people.

"Between the documentary film being shown and Facebook, the younger people are connecting," said Ruby, while taking a short break from greeting well wishers. "Just look at our volunteer crew; you see all of the young kids helping out and it's pretty cool."

Ruby mentioned a $1,400 donation from 12-year-old Kayleigh Barnaba of Geneva as an example of how young people are getting involved.

"She collected donations at her own birthday party, and then had a raffle and also a pool party to collect money, and it was her own idea to do it," Ruby said. "Every little bit helps, and her donations are as important as any."

With that kind of help, and donations from major sponsors such as Cantor Fitzgerald, Markham Vineyards, Teva Neuroscience, Shodeen Family Foundation and many others, the event could raise more than $100,000 this year, or close to double that of past events, Ruby said.

"That's a good sign in this economy," he added.

Event organizer Dawn Vogelsberg feels there is a little more to it than people being generous for a cause.

"One of the reasons is Paul, and he forgets to mention that because he is so humble," Vogelsberg said. "Everyone rallies around him."

Ruby intends to pay that support back by being vigilant in funding research that will aid Parkinson's sufferers for decades to come.

"I'm pretty connected from a science perspective as to how research is going," Ruby said. "Technology is making a positive impact as far as collaborating to exchange information. We're making progress every day and I believe there will be a cure in the next 10 years. In the meantime, they are making great progress in treating symptoms, which is really important for those already afflicted with the disease."

One of those symptoms is simply being more worn down by everyday activities. Even though the Concert for a Cure is the biggest day of the year for his foundation, he was going to be fatigued by the end of the 10-hour event.

"I'll make it through the day, one way or another," Ruby said with a smile. "But I will definitely have to sit down at some point."