Fans of Rachel Reid’s Game Changers book series and TV show Heated Rivalry are raising thousands of dollars for Parkinson’s charities after the author shared an update about her condition.
Supporters launched fundraisers for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and Parkinson’s Foundation after Reid revealed Unrivaled, the final book in the series, was delayed partly due to her Parkinson’s symptoms.
The book series has earned huge popularity among loyal fans. It also led to Crave’s hit TV adaptation starring Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov.
In response to Reid’s news, fans have launched campaigns to raise money by activities such as selling handmade products, raffles and pledges.
Unrivaled Loon Heated Rivalry Parkinson’s fundraiser
The fan-led fundraiser Unrivaled Loons aims to raise $8,124 (€6,953) for the Parkinson’s Foundation, which works to improve Parkinson’s care and advance research toward a cure.
Campaign organiser Heather C said she launched the fundraiser “to show support for Rachel, who has given us this wonderful series”. The Parkinson’s Foundation was chosen due to its international programs like the Global Care Network, and free educational resources.
The campaign, which started in March, will run until June 2027, with three phases including campaigning, pledges, and raffles.
“Our original goal for phase I was $2.5k (€2.1k),” said Heather. After surpassing that goal in the campaign’s first month, the target has stretched to $8,124. “That may seem like a random number, but 81 and 24 are the hockey jersey numbers for the two main characters in Heated Rivalry,” she adds.
Nicole Lopez, Senior Manager of Signature Events for the Parkinson’s Foundation, said the charity is “so grateful to the Unrivaled Loons”.
She said: “Their support is especially meaningful for LGBTQ+ individuals living with Parkinson’s, and it reflects our belief that everyone deserves equitable care and support. It means real help for people today and real hope for what’s ahead.”
‘Rivals For a Reason Chapter 2’ campaign for Michael J. Fox Foundation
Parkinson’s Life also spoke to Katie Liestman, who led the team for fan-led ‘Rivals for a Reason’ project, which raised $39k (€33,329) for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The project sold elastic friendship bracelets, bag charms, and bracelet cuffs, primarily promoted via Threads, with all proceeds going to charity.
After a successful campaign for The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention charity for young LGBTQ+ people, the team chose to raise funds for Parkinson’s after hearing Reid’s next book release would be delayed.
Liestman added: “Our team unanimously decided we wanted to support an organisation doing work to combat Parkinson’s.”
The campaign ran between 13 March – 13 April 2026. Final figures are still being confirmed, but Liestman estimates it has raised an incredible $39k for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, thanks to the project’s 1,250 orders, plus corporate donations from companies like Lyft.
Rachel Reid’s Parkinson’s update
Rachel Reid shared an update about Unrivaled in February, announcing her Parkinson’s symptoms were worsening and making writing more difficult, meaning the release date for the seventh book in the Game Changers: Heated Rivalry series, would be pushed back to June 2027.
Reid said she received a message from director Jacob Tierney expressing interest in adapting Heated Rivalry for screen just four days after her Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2023.
In an Instagram post Reid said: “I know this show has been massively successful and star-making, but before all that, it was the thing that kept me going. Just the possibility of a Heated Rivalry TV show was enough to make me feel excited about the future, instead of devastated about my diagnosis. That in itself is the best gift I’ve ever been given.”
