By james art Since Keri Durham was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, she has had two goals – to fight the disease in her brain and to help others do the same.
During Clan Kerry’s seven years of fundraising, the Durhams were among the top individual efforts in the nation to raise money for Parkinson’s research. Husband David Durham said the group’s name is indicative of the circle of family, friends and supporters who join Kerry in raising money for the Parkinson’s Foundation.
“There are a lot of us who make this happen. We have a big team and it’s a band effort,” he said.
Fundraising started off easy, first gathering at Railhead Barbecue. During the Covid shutdown, Durham’s invented the Drive By Fish Fry with fishermen and friends cooking and handing out food on Durham’s curbside. Karen Shelley has been the group’s organizer for three years, moving the event to the Crossroads Event Center on Bankhead Highway two years ago.
“It started small and just grew and grew,” Shelley recalls.
Food, live music and silent auctions combined with clever promotion are the key elements of the Kerry clan.
Kerry Durham is steadfast in her battle with Parkinson’s disease and is optimistic about her condition, giving encouragement to others who may be dealing with the disease.
“I feel much better now after undergoing DBS surgery,” she said as she greeted guests at the event. “You have to evaluate yourself, do the best you can and communicate with your doctor.”
DBS, deep brain stimulation, is a surgery that implants devices in the brain that stimulate specific areas to control the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
All donations go directly to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation to advance research into the disease. If you would like to donate to the fight in Carey Durham’s name, visit www3.parkinson.org/goto/careysclan.