HollyRod Foundation Inspiration

Holly’s father, Matthew T. Robinson, Jr., was diagnosed with PD in 1982 at the young age of 46. Although Mr. Robinson was forced to retire from a successful career in entertainment, he had the emotional  and  financial support of Holly, Rodney and  the rest of his family. Other patients, however, are not so fortunate. While  caring for Mr. Robinson, Holly and Rodney often encountered patients who were alone, could not afford care or did not have access to expensive medications, treatments and services.

In 2002, HollyRod Foundation partnered with the Department of Neurology at the USC- Keck School of Medicine to form the “HollyRod Compassionate Care Program for Parkinson’s disease.” HollyRod Foundation is the sole funding source for this important program, which makes doctor visits, lab tests, prescriptions and therapies available to those patients who could not otherwise access them.

After Holly and Rodney’s eldest son, RJ, was diagnosed with autism, the foundation expanded its mission. Like Parkinson’s, Autism -which affects 1 in 91 children, 1 in 58 boys-can decimate families physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually.

HollyRod Foundation is currently developing plans to open their first “HollyRod4kids Compassionate Care Center for Autism” in Los Angels, a central location where families in the Autism community can go for support, guidance, treatment and hope. As Holly says ” we need to help these children live their lives and achieve their fullest potential.” Efforts of the HollyRod Foundation are providing a better quality of life for individuals and their families.