Houston-Area Retiree to Walk 500 Miles Across Spain to Raise Funds for Parkinson’s Research

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- After summiting Mount Kilimanjaro and reaching 17,500 feet on Aconcagua, 69-year-old Woodlands retiree Tomas “Tommy” Melli is taking on a new challenge in his ongoing fight against Parkinson’s disease: walking nearly 500 miles across Spain on the historic Camino de Santiago.

From May 1 through June 6, 2025, Tommy will walk the 778-kilometer El Camino Francés, one of the most iconic pilgrimage routes in the world, to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s research. All donations will go directly to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the global leader in funding Parkinson’s research.

“Parkinson’s is a relentless opponent — it never sleeps, never rests,” said Tommy, who was diagnosed with the disease seven years ago. “But neither do I. Exercise has helped me push back against Parkinson’s, and every mile I walk and dollar I raise will help to fight back against this disease and support the search for a cure.”

Tommy’s route will take him from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the French Pyrenees through La Rioja’s vineyards, across Spain’s central Meseta, and into Galicia’s lush hills, ending at the famed cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, he’ll share stories, meet fellow pilgrims, and start conversations about living with Parkinson’s — and why a cure is within reach.

This is not Tommy’s first attempt to turn adversity into action. In 2024, he raised more than $41,500 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation during a bold attempt to summit Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas. That effort drew media attention and support from over 130 donors. Now, he’s swapping crampons for walking shoes — but the mission remains the same.

“The road is long, but so is my resolve to keep moving forward, step by step, until we find a cure,” added Tommy. “I invite you to join me in this fight. Buen Camino!”

Supporters can learn more about his journey and make a donation at tommywalks.org.

Training and trail updates will be posted throughout the journey on social media:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/followtommywalks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followtommywalks

WhatsApp: http://tommywalks.org/whatsapp