FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deb Pollack (t) 805.320.9248
info@drivetowardacure.org
www.drivetowardacure.org
NISSAN SPONSORS DRIVE TOWARD A CURE CHARITY RALLY PROGRAM
2017 GT-R and 2018 370Z Ready for ‘Great Southern Adventure’ While Supporting Parkinson’s
LOS ANGELES, CA — August 2, 2017 – Nissan and its 2017 GT-R and 2018 370Z sports cars are not only raising the bar on ultimate performance, they’re raising the bar on awareness for Parkinson’s Disease as they become the newest sponsor to support Drive Toward a Cure, the non-profit that blends cars and camaraderie through driving/rally programs throughout the nation to benefit Parkinson’s Disease research and patient care. (www.drivetowardacure.org)
Nissan’s superlative sports cars will be in good company amongst the approximately 30 entrant vehicles expected to partake in the September 27-30 ‘Great Southern Adventure’ road rally that begins in Asheville, NC (at The Omni Grove Park Inn) and continues to Braselton, GA (at Château Élan). A selection of modern day Porsche, Ferrari and Corvette sports cars, along with an award-winning 1969 Iso Grifo, have already signed on to enjoy the 3-day jaunt. The exceptional and picturesque roads along the route will explore the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains – and those are only the start of an exhilarating journey that will traverse the 318 curves of the famed ‘Tail of the Dragon’ and lead into the Atlanta Concours d’Elegance.
The Drive Toward a Cure concept, as an alternative to ‘for profit’ driving programs, began as an opportunity to grow interest in the Parkinson’s cause among automotive aficionados and potential automotive sponsors. It quickly blossomed into a full 3-day event that benefitted both the globally renowned Michael J. Fox Foundation and the California-based Parkinson’s Institute and Clinical Center. The second event – the ‘Great Southern Adventure’ – is expected to bring the same warmth, camaraderie and funding to the Southeast region.
According to Deb Pollack, founder of Drive Toward a Cure, and a car enthusiast both professionally and personally for more than two decades, joining passion with a meaningful cause has taken on a whole new emotional meaning. “Thanks to the success we achieved in our first event earlier this year, Drive Toward a Cure is quickly becoming recognized as a successful communal fundraiser within the automotive industry,” said Pollack. “The romance of the automobile and driving the open road pulls on an enthusiast’s heartstrings – but combining the journey with a way to help those challenged by diseases like Parkinson’s only deepens one’s inspiration.”
The Drive Toward a Cure organization is truly grateful and looks forward to Nissan’s participation.
This past April, Drive Toward a Cure held its inaugural ‘California Adventure’ — selling out at 36 entrant vehicles (ranging from vintage to modern day luxury/exotic), covering nearly 600 miles and raising $26,000 for Parkinson’s Disease. The organization expects to continue raising funds at an even higher level. For a better understanding, please view https://lnkd.in/eyWaU6J.
The upcoming ‘Great Southern Adventure’ rally intentionally concludes at the site of the Atlanta Concours, (www.atlantaconcours.org) providing participants with yet another reason to join the adventure, as well as opportunities to partake in an entire weekend full of Concours activities, including the chance to show their own cars on the lawn during Saturday’s ‘Driver’s at the Chateau’ event. VIP weekend packages are available, along with limited event registration remaining for the 3-day program at www.drivetowardacure.org.
“We are looking to build both an adventure and a movement within the automotive community that will create a groundswell in finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease,” said Pollack. “Having been in the car industry for several decades, I’ve had the chance to experience the joy of relationships built from memories on the road. But when I lost my Mom to Parkinson’s in 2006, I realized there were also meaningful ways to share those friendships and the emotional bonds and gratification that driving can bring, to support the challenges others may face.”
As this newest rally grows within the automotive field, all levels of car enthusiasts are encouraged to join through participation and/or donation. Those seeking more information can visit www.drivetowardacure.org.
In addition to Nissan, current supporters of Drive Toward a Cure include Hagerty, Intelliga Communications, Sports Car Market Magazine, Piloti, Putnam Leasing, Michelin, Pennzoil, Singer Vehicle Design, Maserati, BRM Chronographs, Automobile Magazine, Alliant Insurance, DriveShop, Garage Style Magazine, and The Event Designs Company, to name a few. For a full list of supporters, visit www.drivetowardacure.org/sponsors. For future sponsorship opportunities, please see www.drivetowardacure.org/sponsorship-opportunities.
About Drive Toward a Cure:
The Drive Toward a Cure program pursues an alternative to the numerous ‘for profit’ rally driving programs through the creation of events that team cars and camaraderie to raise funds in support of the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease, benefiting research and patient care. Drive Toward a Cure events are carefully designed to provide a premium experience while raising much-needed funds to continue the search for a cure, through beneficiaries The Michael J. Fox Foundation and The Parkinson’s Institute and Clinical Center. For donations, sponsorship and event registration, please visit www.drivetowardacure.org.
About Parkinson’s Disease:
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that physical symptoms continue and worsen over time. Nearly one million people in the US are living with Parkinson’s disease. The cause is unknown, and although there is presently no cure, there are treatment options such as medication and surgery to manage its symptoms.
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