Geneva Parkinson's foundation to merge with Colorado effort

The Geneva-based Paul Ruby Foundation for Parkinson's Research made its plans to merge with a Colorado-based foundation official.

The merger with the Davis Phinney Foundation will better help people with the neurological disorder, according to Paul Ruby, who created the foundation in 2007 to pay for research into the disease he has.

Phinney was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2000. Ruby was diagnosed in 2006.

In particular, it should boost the marketing, credibility and ability to get sponsors for the Ruby Foundation's Sub-5 Ride for Parkinson's, through Davis Phinney's ties to the cycling world. Phinney is a former professional cyclist.

Former Olympic cyclist John Vande Velde of Lemont has been the ceremonial starter at the Sub-5, and his son, professional cyclist Christian Vande Velde, has supported the Phinney Foundation.

The Ruby Foundation has raised more than $700,000 to fund research at Northwestern University, through annual daylong Concerts for a Cause and, since 2010, the annual Sub-5 Ride for Parkinson's cycling event. The bicycle rides alone raised $182,350.

The foundation's last big solo fundraiser, A Night Out for Parkinson's, is scheduled April 26.

"I am very excited about the potential impact the partnership will have. The Paul Ruby Foundation has focused primarily on funding research. Though I'm confident a cure will be discovered, it's vital that we help optimize quality of life now for people suffering with Parkinson's," Ruby said in a news release.

The Ruby Foundation was honored in 2008 by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for making the largest donation, $75,000, in 2007.

The Davis Phinney Foundation has funded research but has also concentrated on education about living well with the disease, through its Every Victory Counts program. It has raised more than $2 million since 2004.