Home - teamgatewaytoacure

Where is Our CEO, Jennifer Cobb?

In loving memory of William "Ty" Cobb

William “Ty” Cobb, age 78.

Beloved husband of Vicki (nee Shereos); loving father of William “Ty” Jr, Joseph D., Jennifer L. and Laura A.; cherished grandfather of Alyssa, Zachary, Ryan, William, Benjamin, Shelby, Lindsey, Delaney and Brenna; devoted brother of David (the late Mary) Cobb and the late Nancy (the late Norm) DeBow; fond uncle to many. Proud founder of Ty Cobb Electric. Past Chief Ranger Independent Order of Foresters Court Harvey #1076. Visitation Friday January 27, 2023 from 4-8 P.M. Funeral Saturday January 28, 2023 at 9:15 A.M. from Lawn Funeral Home, 7732 W. 159th St. Orland Park, IL 60462 to Our Lady of the Woods Church, 10731 W 131st St, Orland Park, IL 60462, Mass 10:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Brain Support Network, PO Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94026 or Team Gateway to a Cure would be appreciated. Funeral info: (708) 429-3200

Ty lived with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) since 1999. PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disease; Alzheimer’s is the most common. PD has no known cause or cure. Parkinson’s can affect parts of the brain that control walking, balance, vision, coordination, speech, cognition, personality, and, eventually, swallowing.

Parkinson’s is a challenging disorder for everyone involved. Fall prevention is a key concern. Often blood pressure issues are a major problem. Later, avoiding aspiration pneumonia becomes paramount. Treatment of balance, blood pressure issues, and swallowing difficulties is limited, leading to many stressful situations. Ty’s wife Vicki coordinated his care with love and compassion throughout his illness.

Seeing the effects that Parkinson’s was having on not only her father, but her mother as well, Jennifer wanted others to learn from their family’s experiences. She founded an organization that started raising money for research. But as Ty’s PD progressed, Jennifer could see the toll it was taking on her mother and shifted the focus of the organization to the awareness, education and support services for caregivers.

Team Gateway To A Cure is dedicated to increasing awareness and education for those with loved ones challenged by Parkinson’s.

The organization also seeks to bring hope and comfort for families and caregivers through information, programming, and fundraising events.

Team Gateway To A Cure is happy to be partnered with:

The Michael J. Fox Foundation

Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center

When the cure for Parkinson’s is found — and it will be — it will be because of all of us.

- Michael J. Fox

Parkinson’s is my toughest fight. No, it doesn’t hurt. It’s hard to explain. I’m being tested to see if I’ll keep praying, to see if I’ll keep my faith. All great people are tested by God.

- Muhammad Ali

More Caregiver Support:

“When managing the disease is too much to do alone, when you’re done with aggressive treatment, you need help to manage the symptoms, and you want to spend every minute making the most of each day – then it’s time to talk about Hospice.” Read “How is Hospice a Good Thing? in Today’s Caregiver.

Website built by 1905 New Media

Fago Franklin III

Board Member

Fago Franklin III is a member of the media, as well as a publicist. He started as a journalist in 2012 and worked his way up the scales. In 2019, he started interning as a publicist with a small firm and later started his own business called Newsstitched Media.

Newsstitched Media is a combination of maximum exposure on brands, as well as content. Some call him Superman, because he does multiple things in the sports and entertainment industry.

Jeff Maher

Board Member

After witnessing Jennifer Cobb’s tireless work with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and Team Gateway To A Cure, Maher knew he wanted to be a part of the foundation.

As an ophthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery, Maher has encountered many Parkinson’s patients throughout his career and witnessed firsthand the multitude of challenges they face along with their caregivers and loved ones.

Jumping at the opportunity to join Team Gateway To A Cure, Maher enjoys the organization’s creativity in finding new ways to highlight Parkinson’s Disease and raise awareness of ways to help patients, families, and caregivers.

Kelly Ott

Board Member

A registered nurse specializing in research and hemodynamic monitoring and passionate about improving the outcome of patients, Ott is an Alumni Rams Cheerleader whose dedication to finding a cure became near and dear to her heart after her grandfather passed away from complications resulting from Parkinson’s disease.

Tim Peterson

Board Member

After spending more than two decades creating and running successful businesses in Missouri and Illinois, Petterson looked for ways to give back to his community. Empowered by Jennifer Cobb’s enthusiasm, determination, and energy he wanted to become involved with Team Gateway To A Cure.

A former music director, event coordinator, and musician for the St. Louis Blues, Petterson turned his focus to bringing the Blues together with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and Team Gateway To A Cure. Proud to be involved with something that makes people feel good inside, Petterson enjoys watching the smile the foundation puts on people’s faces.

Tim Brunette

Director of Strategic Planning

As the Director of Strategic Partnerships for Team Gateway To A Cure, Brunette brings over twenty years of experience building Strategic Partnerships through sales, marketing, new business development, promotions, and advertising.

Having worked for Anheuser-Busch, NBC Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures and as an independent Media Consultant for over ten years, Brunette has also volunteered with The Albert Pujols Family Foundation, Responder Rescue, the Special Olympics, and as a coach for CYC (Catholic Youth Council).

Jennifer Cobb

Founder/Executive Director

Jennifer Cobb, Founder and President, of Team Gateway to a Cure was born to cheer you up. A former NFL Cheerleader for the St. Louis Rams, Jennifer knows that inspiration and hope can lead to momentum and propel you to places you never thought possible. Her foundation focuses on the caregivers of people associated with diseases such as Parkinson’s and other affecting the brain. As of late she has partnered with filmmaker Tim Breitbach with his film the Final 19 and other upcoming projects related to cause, She has used her NFL pedigree and platform to reach hundreds of thousands and has a partner to both the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Muhammed Ali Parkinson Center.

Her focus on the caregiver is relentless as she is a daughter of a father with the disease of Parkinson’s. She has two books in development and is aligning with influences in all sectors of the entertainment industry to help tell compelling stores to educate and inform.

Where is Our CEO, Jennifer Cobb?