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There are at least five good reasons to ride your bike all the way from rainy Seattle to Portland, OR, and the number one reason is to raise money for a worthy cause. 

Next month, Sub Pop Records employees will join in the 204-mile Seattle to Portland (STP) Bicycle Classic held on July 16 -17, 2016. Now in its 37th year, the STP is the largest multi-day ride in the Northwest with up to 10,000 riders making the journey through Western Washington and Oregon.

Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in January of 2013, our Co-Founder and fearless leader Jonathan Poneman has done everything he can to show others that there is life beyond Parkinson’s. In a 2013 Seattle Times article, he states, “I accept that I have this disease, but that doesn’t give me the right to be passive.” He actually explains it as sort of a blessing. Parkinson’s has allowed him to “recalibrate” important values. “As ironic as it sounds, I am truly grateful to the disease,” and he explains further that, “My love of life and its precious elements became more vivid at the thought of seeing them fade away.”

This year, as we prepared to begin this fundraising effort, JP decided to share a more personal side of his story.  Here, in his own words:

“I was sitting in a New York City recording studio, having completed listening to final mixes of Beach House’s then-new album, Bloom. It was getting time to mosey, but I couldn’t get up off of the couch. I mean, literally: my body refused to follow very simple, familiar commands. It was weird, it was embarrassing. Most of all, however, it was frightening.
As I look back to that time now, I clearly recognize the mounting indicators that something was very wrong with me: rigidity in my body, a generalized, unshakable slowness that was accompanied by tremor.
I thought that I was losing my marbles.
Up until that point in my life, I had figured that I could bluff my way in or out of any situation. The voice in my head started trying to bullshit the rest of me. “Maybe it’s a food allergy, or stress or a curse from a past life!” Yeah, well maybe. But this time, I wasn’t buying it.
I went to three different neurologists. They all told me basically the same thing: each diagnosed me with Parkinson’s Disease (PD).
In their respective ways, they all gave me hope. They were also able to prescribe drugs that, for me, reduced the symptoms of the condition to a manageable state.
Yay, drugs!
As I learned more about PD, I also discovered an underground community that rivals anything that I’ve known in nearly 30 years of peddling Indie Rock. It’s “underground” in that we, the diagnosed, walk (albeit sometimes slowly) among you with something that binds us together, even though PD can vary dramatically in how it’s expressed from individual-to-individual. That variable quality makes finding a uniform cure much more challenging.
And like any community, we take care of each other. But we also need your help.

On July 16th and 17th, Team Loser will join Team Parkinson’s in the annual 204 mile STP bike ride from Seattle to Portland, to benefit the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation (NWPF). NWPF is a resource and a lifeline, not just to the Northwest Parkinson’s community, but to those who seek comfort and reliable, upbeat information about lifestyle options and the breakthroughs that will one day make PD yesterday’s news.”  

- Jonathan Poneman

In response to this, and in support of the many individuals and families affected by PD every year, Sub Pop Records employees will be raising money for the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation (NWPF) by undertaking the fabled STP bike ride.

[Sub Pop Team Photo, STP 2015]

What We Need & What You Get

Our goal is to raise $25,000 for the foundation. We need your help! Please donate today, and help us by spreading the word.

In appreciation of your generous support, we’ll be giving away five incredible prize packages that include a wide assortment of new releases and rare collectible albums on colored, limited edition vinyl, a classic Sub Pop Logo T-shirt and a navy canvas tote to carry it all in style. 

Everyone who donates $100 or more to NW Parkinson’s Foundation during the fundraiser will be entered to win! (Winners will be chosen at random and notified about a week after the STP ride.)

Newbury Comics is one of the most notable and highly recognized music distributors from New England. Founded in 1978, Newbury Comics has been a music platform for CDs, LPs, DVDs, and our very own Sub Pop releases. Not only does Newbury Comics carry a unique collection of its own, but has for years been a special part of Sub Pop history with our limited edition Newbury x Sub Pop vinyl collaborations.

This year, our STP Team is giving FIVE lucky people an exclusive collection of Newbury x Sub Pop vinyl as part of the super special prize package. Each was limited to 1000 copies and is now sold out: we are including Nirvana’s Sliver/Dive Single, Band of Horse’s Everything All The Time, and the Fleet Foxes acclaimed self-titled album in addition to some of our hand-picked favorites from Sub Pop. With a donation of $100+ towards Parkinson’s care and research you will be qualified and entered to win this one-of-a-kind collection. 

Remember, your contribution makes a big difference as we continue our journey to offer care to people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Your support is needed now more than ever before. Please take a few minutes now to visit our Sub Pop Team page and make an online donation. Under ‘Honour Roll Options’ please select ‘Other (Custom)’ and include in your donation “Sub Pop Giveaway (6/30/16).” Winners will be notified soon after the STP weekend. Thanks for being a part of our team!

The Impact

Your DONATION will go directly to the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation. NWPF is the only independent regional Parkinson’s organization serving Washington State, and aims to establish optimal quality of life for the Northwest Parkinson’s community through awareness, education, advocacy and care.

Located in Seattle, NWPF proudly invests every dollar in local programs to support the Northwest Parkinson’s community. The organization plays a vital role in helping people with Parkinson’s live meaningfully with the disease. In addition, NWPF provides information that gives patients and their families the tools they need to find quality medical care, better manage their disease and take charge of their daily lives.

Sub Pop has a long history of supporting non-profit organizations around the globe but prefers to focus on local organizations in the Pacific Northwest. We have been involved in fundraisers for the uncompensated care for Seattle Children’s Hospital, donated food and funds to Northwest Harvest, given time, support, and funds to the all-ages music venue ‘The Vera Project’, supported the campaign for marriage equality in Washington state, among many more. We believe in supporting the community that has always supported us. The Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation is an organization we feel proud to be riding for. 

Other Ways You Can Help

You can also (please) go to the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation main website (www.nwpf.org) and give directly to the foundation through a gift at a different time if you are not able to help now. 

Or simply get the word out about our campaign! Share our story and spread some awareness for Parkinson’s Disease. While science looks for a cure, the NWPF is looking out for the Parkinson’s community. We are grateful for anything you can do to help.