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William McK. & Marcia N.Thompson Center for Restorative Neurosurgery
Center Information
Our Story
In 2006, Bill and Marcia Thompson celebrated their 60th anniversary. It was the kind of milestone that gives families a chance to reflect on the events and experiences that have most-shaped their lives together. For the Thompsons, those memories have always been rich with the many joys, adventures and successes that have defined their marriage over those many years, spanning from Bill’s distinguished military service in World War II, to the birth of their three daughters, to their many successful business ventures, and to the enjoyment of their five grandchildren and numerous “grandpets.”
The strength and longevity of the Thompson family stems not only from these experiences, but also from the challenges they faced together over the years---including Bill’s 24-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. “Parkinson’s is what I would call a family disease,” explained Marcia. “It has affected all of our lives in some way…and it caused us to miss out on many activities with Bill over the years.”
For the Thompsons, CNI was a tremendous resource that helped them overcome this powerful challenge. In 1995, working with then CNI-neurosurgeon John McVicker, MD, and Rajeev Kumar, MD, now Medical Director of the CNI Movement Disorders Center, Bill underwent Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, an advanced procedure that effectively pinpoints and “controls” the symptomatic movements of Parkinson’s through ongoing electrical impulses. The surgery had immediate and dramatic results, eliminating Bill’s uncontrolled body movements. For several years it allowed him to walk, work, drive….and even resume his winning Gin Rummy game. Bill’s transformation touched the lives of everyone in the family.
 In 2004, the Thompsons made a family decision to provide a significant gift to CNI to help others facing the challenges of Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. The Thompson Family Foundation designated funds which created the William McKinley & Marcia Netting Thompson Functional Surgery Center at CNI, now known as the CNI William McK. & Marcia N. Thompson Center for Restorative Neurosurgery.
Announcing their plans for this gift to the entire family at their 2004 Christmas dinner, the Thompsons unanimously supported and applauded Bill and Marcia’s decision to entrust CNI with funds from the foundation. Afterwards, Marcia received a note from one of her grandchildren that she believed summed up the feelings of the whole family. It said, simply, “Christmas was great, but the most wonderful part was the family’s gift to CNI.”
Bill and Marcia are sadly missed, but the Thompson family is most grateful to CNI for continuing their work to enrich the lives of others impacted by movement disorders. CNI has continued to provide patients and their families with a substantially better quality of life--exactly what Bill and Marcia wanted.
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