Cincinnati, Ohio (PRWEB) August 29, 2011

Former Executive Vice President of Trivantis, Ben Contra, Jr., retires to achieve his personal goal to become one of the top fundraisers for Parkinson?s Disease both in the Greater Cincinnati area and nationally. After two-and-a-half years of sharing the news of his diagnosis solely with his wife, Contra decided to break his silence this past July and step down from his leadership role with Trivantis to focus his time and attention on fighting Parkinson?s disease.

“My personal struggle with Parkinson’s Disease has just begun, but I know the support of those around me will help me persevere,” said Contra. “I know I am not alone and will make it my mission to raise awareness and help find a cure for the millions that are affected by this disease.”

Contra plans to raise both money and awareness of the benefits of exercise and an active lifestyle and looks forward to working closely with the leading organizations dedicated to finding a cure and improving care for patients: National Parkinson Foundation, the American Parkinson Disease Association, Parkinson?s Disease Foundation, Davis Phinney Foundation, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Prior to his diagnosis, Contra spent nine years helping Trivantis evolve as a leader in the e-Learning industry. With overwhelming encouragement pouring in from extended family, Trivantis customers, board members, employees and investors, Contra is confident his mission will be a success.

To look at 49-year-old Ben Contra, you would never guess he suffers from a degenerative disease that affects 1.5 million Americans, the majority of which are over the age of 60. A marathoner who exercised religiously seven days a week, Contra was shocked when his doctors informed him two and a half years ago that the stiffness and tremors he was experiencing were symptoms of early-onset Parkinson?s disease.

His journey has not been easy. With three children, a loving supportive wife at home and a long, successful career with Trivantis ahead of him, having Parkinson?s was difficult for Contra to accept. Dealing with ongoing denial, anger and fear made the struggle even more challenging. The decision to step down and announce retirement and Parkinson?s to the world after two and a half years of total silence was difficult to reach. The daily annoyances of the disease were gradually becoming too overwhelming to keep pace at the level of perfection that Contra demanded of himself. As the news spread throughout the company and the community, tears of concern turned into an outpouring of love and support. Contra was amazed at the amount of thoughtful letters he received from not only his friends, colleagues, customers, and partners, but from casual acquaintances too. With this outpouring of encouragement and support, he has been able to weather the initial shock and denial of his condition and is grateful that he has gone public with his disease.

Contra knows all too well the widespread misconception that Parkinson?s disease affects only the elderly. But according to the American Parkinson Disease Association?s National Young Onset Center, ??about 10%-20% of those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease are under age 50, and about half of those are diagnosed before age 40.? A degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, Parkinson?s disease can manifest itself in a multitude of symptoms, all of which can be exacerbated by even the simplest of daily tasks.

For others with early-onset Parkinson?s disease, however, the road to acceptance is still an uphill battle. But there are resources and support service available to patients. For instance, the National Young Onset Center provides an interactive guide to explore no-cost or low-cost resources and share experiences, resource recommendations and valuable feedback with others. The Michael J. Fox Foundation has a Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, and the National Parkinson?s Foundation has an extensive list of local chapters and support groups.

Even though no cure is currently available for Parkinson?s Disease, research is yielding significant results every day. And with a strong support team behind him and the courage to face his diagnosis head-on, Contra is confident he?ll emerge the winner in his battle with Parkinson?s disease.

Being driven and focused on exercise and nutrition, Contra is already assembling his first fundraising event, working on a joint event with the Davis Phinney Foundation and the Cincinnati Sports Mall. The 90-minute spin event is tentatively scheduled for November 19th at 6pm, whereby participants can reserve a bike for $ 100 and enjoy a party to follow the event starting at 8pm. Contra anticipates a sold out event once the event is finalized and marketed.

You can join Ben?s Facebook Group titled Support Ben Contra in his Parkinson?s battle. He has amassed over 300 supporters to his cause in the last few weeks and will communicate to his supporters on a quarterly basis.

###