Some people are blessed with being able to say that they’ve made an impact on those around them. Diane Gerard of Washington is one of those people.

A loving wife, caring mother and grandmother and a faithful friend, Gerard has touched the lives of those around her. That is evident in the support that’s been given back to her.

At 40, Gerard was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a serious and debilitating illness that starts with symptoms such as shaking and unsteadiness. In later stages, it can result in cognitive problems and loss of physical control.

Gerard, now 61, is in the advanced stages of the disease, requiring the use of a wheelchair. She’s aware of what is going on around her, but communicating and conveying things are extremely difficult and frustrating for her, according to her son, Walt, and his wife, Laura.

Nonetheless, she could make it clear that it meant a lot to her when Laura Gerard, 36, told her that she was going to be raising money and running in the ING New York City Marathon as part of Team Fox in her honor. Team Fox was the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s team in the marathon, and the money Laura raised was donated to the foundation to help fund its research into finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

Laura Gerard sat down with her mother-in-law’s sister, Jami, and friends Carolyn Wetmore, Theresa Mays and Beth Oden, and the five of them addressed 250 envelopes to friends and family. Inside, Laura Gerard enclosed a letter explaining her mother-in-law’s illness, her own participation in the marathon and asked for donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to help find a cure for Parkinson’s. The response was enormous.

Within a few days, letters started to pour in. For the next six weeks, Laura Gerard continued to receive donations almost daily from people who had received her letters. Eventually, word spread around town and Laura Gerard received more donations from people in the community.

“People were coming out of the woodwork who had relatives who have been diagnosed,” said Laura Gerard.

Over the six-week period, Laura Gerard raised nearly $11,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation — well above her goal of $5,000.

“Washington is a really great community. They rally behind their own. I was really proud of the area,” Walt Gerard said.

One day, in response to all the letters, Walt and Laura Gerard’s youngest child, “Little Walt,” exclaimed, “I think they’re gonna find a cure!”

Walt Gerard was quick to give credit for the overwhelming response of donations to his mother’s life and character.

“The outpouring was wonderful. It had nothing to do with Laura and me. It was about Diane,” he said.

Deeply religious, Diane Gerard was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and held a “huddle” (a regular gathering of youth) at her house while her daughters were in middle school. Gerard and her husband, Bubba, are longtime members of the First United Methodist Church in Washington, where they were active when her health permitted it. Gerard helped start the church’s preschool.

Many people from the church family gave Laura Gerard donations, but they weren’t the only ones who did so.

“She just really loves people,” Laura Gerard said, adding, “She’s impacted so many.”

Walt Gerard said, “She’s always treated people the way she wants to be treated. … She’s kind to everyone.”

Laura Gerard believes that people had wanted to give back to her mother-in-law for a long time, but they didn’t know how. She said raising money for the marathon gave them that opportunity.

The marathon took place Nov 6. Walt Gerard and his children were not able to go to New York because of other obligations, but Laura Gerard’s family (which lives in Connecticut) came to watch, as did Diane Gerard’s sister Jami. Laura Gerard was given a computer chip that allowed her family in Washington to track her progress online. Laura Gerard said running the marathon was extremely difficult, and it taught her a lesson about perseverance.

Although Laura Gerard may have learned a little more about perseverance, she and the rest of the Gerard family are no strangers to it. They have been persevering through this disease for 20 years now, and it’s had an effect on each of them.

Next to Diane Gerard, perhaps no one has been more affected than her husband, Bubba.

“His life has dramatically changed, and he’s hung in there for better or worse. I think he’s really honored his vows in that regard,” Walt Gerard said of his father.

Bubba has nursed her and watched helplessly as Parkinson’s disease has slowly tightened its grip on his wife.

“It’s easy when things are going good,” Walt Gerard said. “You really find out the true character when things get rough.”

Telling Bubba Gerard about the donations and the marathon was a big moment.

“It blessed my dad, seeing the outpour. He’s had to take care of my mom,” Walt Gerard said.

When he learned of the people who donated, Walt Gerard said, “You could tell he was really touched.”

Walt and Laura Gerard said they are thankful for the donations they received and all the people who showed their support for Diane Gerard.

“This has been a spiritual journey for us. It’s really shown us the power of prayer and of people who give from their hearts,” said Walt Gerard.

Laura Gerard modestly downplays the significance of her actions on behalf of her mother-in-law, saying, “To me, it’s just full circle because she’s been such a huge part of this family.”

Her husband and the rest of the family are proud of her.

“I’m very gracious,” said Walt Gerard. “Not a lot of people would do that for their mother-in-law.”