04/22/2026
Donna Rosa showcased resilience from the day she was born. Her mother noticed Rosa had difficulties crawling, and a trip to the doctor led to the discovery of a hip injury from birth. Later in life, a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis would add additional movement difficulties. Yet, you would often find Rosa getting up and down, digging in the dirt, and traversing the trails of her favorite place: the garden.
She brought her passion everywhere she went — even using her green thumb to care for the gardens at her nearest community park.
“There was little that ever held her back. Even if movement was hard, she always went on a walk, spent time outside and found ways to do what she loved,” said her friend Jackie Meester.
Through her estate, Rosa chose to support Parkinson’s research at Van Andel Institute, extending her impact beyond her lifetime and helping move research forward.
“She truly believed in making the world better, and I think this was one way she could plant a seed for the future,” Meester said. “We both saw VAI as a place where individuals can hope for the better, and I pray my friend’s generosity can be part of that future.”
Learn more about VAI's Parkinson's disease research and ways to get involved at vai.org/parkinsons.
