At just 12 years old, Avana Grace leads the charge for Team Chopra at the Parkinson's Unity Walk, a role she has embraced since she was little. Her journey with the Unity Walk began in 2017 when her family joined in honor of her Grandpa Raj, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) at age 71. A year later, just before her sixth birthday, she became co-captain with her aunt Mona Massi, and by seven, stepped into the role of captain. Each year, she and her family continue the tradition of walking, fundraising and raising awareness for Parkinson's.

Leading a team at such a young age might seem daunting, but Avana has learned that leadership isn't about doing it alone. "At first, I wasn't sure what it meant to lead," she said. "But I've realized it's really a team effort. I'm grateful for everyone that supports us because it gives us all the chance to help raise awareness." With the help of her family — including her mom, Geeta, who helps manage social media — she has found her own way to make an impact, bringing people together and inspiring others to get involved. 

For Avana, wearing her Team Chopra shirt each year is more than just a tradition — it's a reminder of what her family stands for. Their signature yellow and orange team colors represent the sun, spreading warmth, gratitude and hope. "I'm proud to be part of Team Chopra every day," she said. Visibility matters, and putting on something that says 'Team Chopra' reminds me of the legacy of our family."

The Parkinson's Unity Walk is one of the highlights of the year for Avana and her family. Thousands gather in New York City's Central Park, all united by a shared cause. "I love meeting new people and seeing familiar faces like May May Ali, Carol Walton of the Parkinson's Alliance and Face Art by Melissa," she said. "It's a reminder that we're not along in this."

Beyond the walk, Avana is committed to spreading awareness about Parkinson's. When given the chance to research and present a topic at school, she immediately chose PD. "Some of my classmates had never heard of it, so I wanted to give them a good introduction," she said. "I was nervous at first, but once I started, I realized how much I already knew just from seeing my grandpa's experience."

Her teacher, Ms. Tara from the Progressive School of Long Island, was struck by the depth of Avana's presentation. "It was one of the strongest in the class," she said. "She made it relatable by sharing personal stories about her grandfather, and you could tell she really cared about helping others understand Parkinson's." After her school presentation, Avana shared her slideshow with Grandpa Raj. "He was so encouraging," she said. "That meant a lot."

While raising awareness is a core part of Team Chopra's mission, fundraising is just as important. Since 2018, the team has raised more than $50,000 to support research — a testament to the generosity of their friends, family and supporters. Avana understands why every dollar matters. "Finding a cure is the ultimate goal," she said. "But even before that, research can help people with PD live better lives. We don't always know what others are going through, so it's important to support in any way we can."

Over the years, Team Chopra has grown to include 125 members who have walked in person and another 125 people who've joined in spirit from afar. "Our whole family is extremely grateful for the support that our team members have shown us over the past nine years," she said. 

This year, Team Chopra walks in memory of Grandma 'GlamMa' Asha, the beloved matriarch of their family and the primary supporter of their PD Warrior, Grandpa Raj. "Asha means hope," Avana shared. "So this year, our mantra is, 'Hope till the sun rises on a cure.'" 

With every step in Central Park, Team Chopra continues to walk forward together — honoring their past, supporting each other in the present and holding onto hope for the future. 

Join Avana and Team Chopra at the 2025 Parkinson's Unity Walk on Saturday, April 26.