FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deb Pollack, Media Relations
(e) deb@debpollack.com (t) 805.320.9248
DRIVE TOWARD A CURE CREATES ‘SPECIAL ASSISTANCE FUND’ TO SUPPORT PARKINSON’S PATIENTS IN NEED – ESPECIALLY POST-DISASTER SITUATIONS
Non-Profit Offers Financial Assistance to Those Challenged by Parkinson’s Disease AND Displaced Due to Nashville Tornado
LOS ANGELES, March 5, 2020 – Non-profit Drive Toward a Cure has expanded its support for those challenged by Parkinson’s Disease by establishing an all-new ‘Special Assistance Fund’ to provide financial assistance to qualified applicants following extenuating circumstances, such as the recent and devastating tornado in Nashville, TN earlier this week.
Since 2016, non-profit Drive Toward a Cure has raised funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease research and patient care. With a commitment to further assist in patient care, Drive Toward a Cure has earmarked up to $10,000 to assist those who are challenged by the disease AND experiencing significant losses or exceptional expenses related to the recent Nashville damage.
Donors can indicate that donations made to Drive Toward a Cure during this time are able to request that their donation be directed to those who need support due to the Nashville tragedy specifically and to help increase Drive Toward a Cure’s Special Assistance Fund for future needs.
According to Deb Pollack, founder of Drive Toward a Cure, unforeseen tragedies and natural disasters not only create community loss, but can bring indescribable challenges and added stress to those already struggling with the day-to-day tribulations of living with Parkinson’s Disease. Having lost a parent to the disease, Pollack knows first-hand the hardships faced on a daily basis.
“Living with this disease is difficult enough during normal times; and now, for those patients affected by additional tragedy beyond their control, it is incumbent upon our organization to step in where we can and offer assistance. Though the monetary value of these grants is only a start, we hope that this token can make a meaningful difference to those challenged by Parkinson’s and will encourage others to continue to help us seed these efforts.”
To apply for grants offered by Drive Toward a Cure, please go to www.drivetowardacure.org/special-assistance-fund. Beginning immediately, Drive Toward a Cure will be accepting additional donations to support this effort and potentially create additional grant opportunities at www.drivetowardacure.org.
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 supporting 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.
Since its inception, Drive Toward a Cure has raised more than $300,000 including contributions which provide financial assistance for both research and patient programs.
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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