FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deb Pollack (t) 805.320.9248
DRIVE TOWARD A CURE AND TASTE OF MOTORSPORTS JOIN TOGETHER
SUPPORTING MUHAMMAD ALI PARKINSON CENTER
AT BARROW NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE IN ARIZONA WITH $12K DONATION
Chandler, AZ – March 23, 2021 – When premier lifestyle automotive event Taste of Motorsports enlisted Drive Toward a Cure as its key beneficiary for the 2021 season, the only caveat from the charity foundation was that all funds raised stayed local, supporting regional Centers of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease. Having just completed the first of three events together earlier this month in Arizona, including two separate fundraising endeavors, Drive Toward a Cure provided a matching donation that secured a $12,000 gift to the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix to support patient care.
According to Deb Pollack, founder of Drive Toward a Cure, while her foundation has expanded to create a national focus, it was incredibly important to retain a local aspect of giving for each event.
“Over the past 18 months we have grown our ‘Access to Care’ fund from one overall donation to individual opportunities supporting patient care. We prefer to offer a greater connection within the community for those that are challenged,” said Pollack.
“Providing funds for stronger grassroots approaches can include anything from bringing patients virtual nutritional education and exercise programs, to creating touchpoints of hope for a meaningful purpose. Most important, we are helping individuals and providing areas of ‘inclusivity’ and involvement.”
Drive Toward a Cure Board Member Derek Torry, who happens to also be inflicted with early on-set Parkinson’s, was on hand for the entire Arizona weekend, having driven in from Southern California.
Fundraising events included an initial spirited, yet socially distanced, drive on Saturday morning and a VIP charity/auction preview evening at the Otto Car Club in Scottsdale. The highlight of the weekend was Sunday’s Taste of Motorsports finale at the Bondurant High Performance Driving School. Attendees had the opportunity within a festival atmosphere to test drive high-performance vehicles on track, view an enormous display of exotic cars including the newly launched Shelby Speedster, and to enjoy a full array of gourmet food all day long.
Torry noted that the commonality of attendees, whether drivers or car enthusiasts, were very much in sync with Drive Toward a Cure’s mantra of blending cars and camaraderie. “Since 2016 we’ve set out with one mission – combine the minds and hearts of individuals within the car community with a stronger awareness for Parkinson’s disease – and find ways to channel their enthusiasm to raise funds.” Drive Toward a Cure has successfully moved that mission to raise more than $500,000 since its inception five years ago.
“We are so grateful for the support from Drive Toward a Cure,” said Holly Shill, MD, FAAN, Director of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute and the Bob & Renee Parsons Chair. “Philanthropy allowed us to continue to serve our patients during COVID-19 by offering virtual support groups, art classes, and music and movement therapy to patients in both English and Spanish.”
Last year, the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute made nearly 25,000 connections with individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners through in-person clinic visits, tele-health visits, and outreach efforts.
About Barrow’s Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center
Recognized as a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute has led treatment and research for Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders since 1997. The Center’s team of neurologists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists is dedicated to providing patients and their caregivers with the best clinical care, research, rehabilitation, education, and support. The Center also is a world leader in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery for the treatment of movement disorders. Patients and families across the globe have found support through the Center’s wide range of educational workshops, support groups, and acclaimed Hispanic Outreach Program. Learn more at BarrowNeuro.org/Parkinsons
About Drive Toward a Cure
Drive Toward a Cure raises funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease research and patient care. Inspired by the camaraderie found within the automotive culture, the organization’s mission benefits equally from both enthusiast communities and industry professionals. Drive Toward a Cure events harness enthusiasm for cars and driving and turn that power into support for ongoing work to improve the lives of those living with Parkinson’s, as well as the research that will hopefully one day lead to a cure. Since 2016, Drive Toward a Cure has raised more than a half million dollars to support BOTH research AND patient care.
Drive Toward a Cure is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports beneficiaries including The Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Parkinson’s Foundation and numerous regional Centers of Excellence for Parkinsons. For donations, sponsorship and event registration please visit www.drivetowardacure.org .
About Parkinson’s Disease
Affecting nearly one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the United States. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.
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Join Us!
Registration for the Arizona Tour Open Now!
Welcome to the 2021 Arizona – Drive Toward a Cure Tour to be held on March 13th, 2021. We are still getting our route dialed in but rest assured, It will be a scenic drive (approximately 4 hours) on some of the best roads in the region. We will announce our meeting location on March 1st and will email all registered participants with the details. 100% of your tour registration fee goes to the Drive Toward a Cure Foundation to benefit Parkinson’s research. We are limiting the drive to no more than 60 cars so please register as soon as possible to ensure your spot.
TASTE OF MOTORSPORTS NAMES DRIVE TOWARD A CURE
AS CHARITY BENEFACTOR
New Driving Experiences and Gala Planned to Increase Fundraising Efforts
PORTLAND, Ore – November 23, 2020 – Taste of Motorsports, the Pacific Northwest’s premier automotive lifestyle event, will be expanding its regional and charitable presence with two additional venues outside of Portland and an all-new charitable component planned for next year. Should safety and health regulations allow for larger gatherings, the automotive-related entertainment event will host a total of three events, each aligned with nationally-based non-profit Drive Toward a Cure, in an effort to raise additional funds for Parkinson’s Disease research and patient care.
According to Tom Floyd, founder of the Taste of Motorsports, the organization has had a successful pathway in Portland over the past three years and continues to grow the event which is well known for its track day, car show and gourmet food extravaganza. “No other event matches Taste’s combination of offerings with the opportunity to experience and explore a curated collection of exotic cars, savor delicious gourmet food and drink, and socialize with others who enjoy a rarified lifestyle and understand the passion for luxury automobiles. Our attendees are a balance of enthusiasts, car collectors and families – folks that can appreciate the design, engineering and value these type of vehicles inspire.”
Floyd noted that the addition of a charity element raises the experiential event to a higher standard and shares a spirit of community within a curated Concours d’Elegance setting. Additional event elements beginning in 2021 will include a full day scenic driving program, along with a cocktail party/gala – both organized to benefit the charity. Drive Toward a Cure’s founder Deb Pollack is enthusiastic about the upcoming alignment as the organization has been growing steadily since the Foundation’s inception in 2016.
“Our whole premise has been bringing ‘cars and camaraderie’ together to further increase an audience that can support Parkinson’s Disease in a memorable and pleasurable way,” said Pollack. ‘‘We’re very excited to associate with a prestigious event like the Taste of Motorsports and grow together – especially in new regions.” Future plans and new locations for the Taste programs include next Spring at the Apex track in Maricopa, AZ and September 2021 at Sonoma Raceway in Northern California.
A key feature of Taste of Motorsports includes a “Demo Experience” offering a safe on-track environment to evaluate one’s next performance car purchase. Attendees can learn, explore and experience a first-hand experience from an insider’s perspective with instructor supervision on a proper racetrack.
As Taste of Motorsports continues to elevate its place among noteworthy automotive events nationwide, presenting sponsor Vasek Polak Collection lends a celebration of Porsche racing heritage and credibility to the brand. Longtime and globally renowned figures within the Porsche community, Vasek Polak and his daughter Maurie bring storytelling, memorabilia and on-site involvement to each event. Polak and Floyd have had a friendship for more than 30 years – and complement each other’s joy of racing.
About Taste of Motorsports
Held annually at the Portland International Raceway (PIR), Taste of Motorsports was conceived as a premiere automotive lifestyle event in 2016 by Tom Floyd, a native of San Diego, California now making his home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Passionate about racing automobiles and design, Floyd is an entrepreneur and remains involved in several businesses including Elevation Lab, which makes accessories for Apple Products.
About Drive Toward a Cure
Drive Toward a Cure raises funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease research and patient care. Inspired by the camaraderie found within the automotive culture, the organization’s mission benefits equally from both enthusiast communities and industry professionals. Drive Toward a Cure events harness enthusiasm for cars and driving and turn that power into support for ongoing work to improve the lives of those living with Parkinson’s, as well as the research that will hopefully one day lead to a cure.
Drive Toward a Cure is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports beneficiaries including The Michael J. Fox Foundation, The Parkinson’s Institute and Clinical Center and the Parkinson’s Foundation. For donations, sponsorship and event registration please visit www.drivetowardacure.org .
About Parkinson’s Disease
Affecting nearly one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the United States. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.