Inspired To Endure

We push human limits to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease.

Human Powered Potential creates the world’s most extreme endurance events to raise funds to support The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

A RECORD BREAKING 2,800 MILE ROW
RAISED $43 MILLION FOR PARKINSON’S RESEARCH

In June 2024, four friends set out to do the impossible. Brendan Cusick, Scott Forman, Peter Durso, and Patrick Morrissey launched from Monterey, California, rowing west toward Hawaii.

41 days. 30-foot swells. Salt sores. Equipment failures. Unrelenting exhaustion. Two hours rowing. Two hours rest. Around the clock. All human-powered.
They not only made it to Hanalei Bay—they raised $41 million for Parkinson’s research for The Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Patrick became the first person diagnosed with Parkinson’s to row the Pacific.

The HPP team set out to honor the strength of those who face trials greater than the Pacific Ocean could ever present, and proved something profound: human limits are negotiable, disease does not define destiny, and when we row together and keep moving forward—the impossible becomes inevitable.

The Latest Happenings:

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The Next Chapter

Our first epic row raised $41 million for The Michael J. Fox Foundation to help find a cure. Now we’re launching new endurance events led by individuals living with Parkinson’s to help show the world what’s possible when we push our limits.

A team of eight female athletes, one of whom is living with Parkinson’s, is training to conquer the Great American Loop—a 6,000-mile nautical odyssey. This undertaking, the Second Wave, passes the oars to the next wave of warriors and kicks off a series of extreme endurance events dedicated to supporting The Michael J. Fox Foundation. This next challenge inspires us to dig deeper, dream bigger, and keep moving towards cures.

Why We Endure

Every HPP stroke, stride, or mile forward supports The Michael J. Fox Foundation—and brings a cure one step closer.

Parkinson’s is the world’s fastest-growing neurological disorder. The number of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s doubled from 1990 to 2015.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation is the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research in the world, dedicated to finding a cure through research and developing improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s.

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About Us

ENDURE FOR A CURE

Human Powered Potential is an adventure philanthropy organization that transforms incredible endurance challenges, led by individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, into fundraising engines to help find a cure.

HPP’s mission is to show the world what’s possible when we push our limits, inspire those living with PD to keep moving, and to raise funds for Parkinson’s treatments and a cure. Proceeds raised from HPP events benefit The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s efforts to advance Parkinson’s research, treatments, and support for patients worldwide.

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Rebels with a Cause

We’re a launchpad for bold, imagination-capturing athletic endeavors led by individuals living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Every expedition is an act of rebellion against the supposed inevitability of PD. Our movement celebrates the profound act of showing up for each other and seeing what we’re made of, and to keep pushing forward.

Defiant Hope

Hope is our driving force. Every mile traveled, every dollar raised, every story shared moves us closer to new treatments and better lives. Scientific breakthroughs are within reach, with biomarkers identified, gene therapies advancing, and research timelines compressed by decades. The cure isn’t a distant dream. But like endurance athletes, breakthroughs need fuel. They need funding.

HPP ADVENTURES

We’re building a slate of new extreme endurance events to help show the world what’s possible when we push our limits, and help find a cure for the millions who endure every day with Parkinson’s.

First Wave

2,800 MILES.
41 DAYS.
$41 MILLION.

completed

Second Wave

GREAT AMERICAN LOOP

The Great American Loop Route is a 6,000-mile nautical adventure. Follow along as 8 female athletes train to take on this challenge.

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Coming Soon

Call to Adventure

We’re launching an open call for bold, imagination-capturing athletic endeavors to support individuals with Parkinson’s who undertake ambitious physical challenges while raising funds for The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Sign up to receive launch alerts.

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