Students sponsor Pancakes for Parkinson’s

“Go ahead. Drool.”

That tag line appears over a photo of pancakes soaked in syrup to help promote a Pancakes for Parkinson’s fundraiser at Rice University April 6.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grand Hall in the Rice Memorial Center, pancake lovers can feast on their favorite food and make a donation to support research on Parkinson’s disease.

Entertainment is planned throughout the Saturday morning event, along with education about the disorder of the brain that leads to tremors and difficulty with walking, moving and coordination.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation approached Rice about hosting the event after learning about “Running Water,” a short documentary about Robert Flatt, an adjunct professor of management at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business who has Parkinson’s. Austin Lipinski ’11 directed the film when he was an undergraduate and won the grand prize in the 2011 Rice Student Film Contest. Flatt is scheduled to speak at Pancakes for Parkinson’s and display some of his art.

The Rice Student Volunteer Program and the Student Association organized the event in conjunction with Team Fox for Parkinson’s Research. Students, faculty and staff interested in volunteering can email ricepancakesforparkinsons@gmail.com. Free parking will be available in West Lot 4 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.