The Beard of Summer is ON

The beard has had a good run.

I’ve been called Papa Smurf, Santa Claus, David Letterman—and a few other choice things by my wife.

It’s time for it to go. But first, we’re putting it to work and giving you a chance at a private, sneak premiere of our newest film,

Boys of Summer: Third Base.

Today we’re launching the 2026 Beard of Summer Community Challenge, a slightly ridiculous competition with a very real purpose: raising Cinema Therapy scholarships for people in the Parkinson’s community.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

Parkinson’s communities around the country are forming teams and competing to become our 2026 Beard of Summer Champions.

Choose a community and make a donation. Every dollar that team raises supports Cinema Therapy scholarship opportunities for people from that community—whether they win the competition or not.

But one community will win.

And the grand prize is pretty spectacular.

The Beard of Summer Champion receives:

• A private, one-time-only online screening of Boys of Summer: Third Base, followed by a live Connection is Medicine conversation and Q&A. It premiered at the World Parkinson's Congress in May to a ruacous standing-room-only crowd. Click here for the trailer and more. 

• An additional full Cinema Therapy scholarship for the person of your choice.

• The legendary Golden Razor traveling trophy.

• And, most dangerously, complete control over what happens to my beard before I show up for the screening.

Mustache? Mutton chops? Whaler? Stubble? Something worse?

You win. You choose. I shave.

WHY CINEMA THERAPY?

Cinema Therapy uses shared films, music, improvisation, creative writing, and conversation to help people explore their own stories in a fun, supportive community.

By turning reflection into expression, and expression into connection, participants strengthen agency, identity, and belonging.

And we have people ready to participate who need scholarship support to make it possible.

So this beard finally has a job.

Choose a community. Help build scholarships. Help bring Third Base to one Parkinson’s community. And help us find out what’s underneath all this hair.

Connect with the Boys. Lose the Beard.

Every dollar changes far more than my face.

Together, we’re changing the face of Parkinson’s.

Robert Cochrane, PhD Yes, And…X

Join us