Richard Thompson and friend Chris Sparks have launched Team Cul de Sac – an effort to solicit professional cartoonists, illustrators and artists of all stripes to help contribute to a book to be published by Andrews & McMeel to raise awareness of Parkinson’s Disease. Part of the profits of the book will got to the Michael J. Fox Foundation (which raises money to find a cure) and the original art will be auctioned off to raise additional money for the foundation.
From the Team Cul de Sac site:
How can you help?
We are inviting cartoonists like you to donate original art made especially for a book about Parkinson’s awareness in Richard’s honor. Part of the profits from the sale of the book would benefit the Michael J Fox Foundation (MJFF), and the original art will be auctioned as part of the fundraiser with all of auction money going to MJFF. Additionally, there will be a limited number of deluxe edition books signed and numbered by Richard Thompson.
What is the theme?
The theme is going to be fun. It is your take on the Cul de Sac characters. Please run with them; deconstruct them, parody them, confuse them, cubisize them, psychoanalyze them, draw them in your own strip, whatever tickles your fancy. Enjoy. Open up your heart and just create something out of the ordinary, maybe not with your own characters, but this is an opportunity for you to let your talent to shine in a wide range of ways.
You can learn more by reading Richard’s blog. Richard disclosed to the public in July 2009 that he was diagnoses with Parkinson’s Disease. I’ve since learned that Dick Locher (Dick Tracy) also suffers from the disease.
A very cool idea, and very worthy cause!