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Contact:info@drivetowardacure.org

DRIVE TOWARD A CURE BRINGS “AN EVENING OF MUSIC & MOTION” TO RENO’S NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM

Vanessa Williams, Rasheda Ali Walsh, and Shelby Hall Join Together to Benefit Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada

 

Victoriously driven by gentleman driver and America’s first Formula One Champion, Phil Hill, this 1952 Jaguar C-Type (Chassis XKC-007, the first C-Type imported into the United States) is the ‘halo’ car for Drive Toward a Cure’s “An Evening of Music & Motion” at the National Automobile Museum on April 18th – A great example that people with Parkinson’s can do great things, Hill was both a friend and inspiration to Drive Toward a Cure.

Phil Hill autographed 1952 Jaguar C-Type (Chassis XKC-007) following 1st place victories and podium wins at Elkhart Lake, Madera Airport and Torrey Pines – and will now be shown on April 18th at “An Evening of Music & Motion” at the Reno National Automobile Museum — an event by non-profit foundation Drive Toward a Cure to support those living with Parkinson’s disease in the Northern Nevada region.

The National Automobile Museum will be hosting “An Evening of Music & Motion” with non-profit Drive Toward a Cure® to benefit the Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada – with special guests singer/actress/producer Vanessa Williams and entertainer and Parkinson’s advocate Rasheda Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali.

Globally renowned singer/actress/producer Vanessa Williams will be moderating a 45-minute panel discussion at “An Evening of Music & Motion” on April 18th at the Reno-based National Automobile Museum – the special event will benefit the Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada (PSCNN) and will be hosted by national non-profit foundation Drive Toward a Cure.

Rasheda Ali Walsh, entertainer and Parkinson’s advocate is the daughter of undisputed heavyweight Muhammad Ali, and will be joining the panel discussion during ‘An Evening of Music & Motion’ April 18th at the National Automobile Museum in Reno – the evening brings a multitude of automotive culture and talent together.

Professional third-generation off-road driver and adventure creator Shelby Hall will be sharing the stage during “An Evening of Music & Motion” – her grandfather, Rod Hall, was the winningest off-road racer in history and completed his 50th Baja 1000 race at the age of 80 while suffering from Parkinson’s – proving that people with Parkinson’s can do great things!

Dr. Mindy Lokshin (left), Board Chair and Acting Director for event beneficiary the Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada (PSCNN) meets with Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo (center) for the signing of SB8390 — the establishment of a statewide research registry for all neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease. PSCNN is a community educational and support resource for the more than 5,000 Northern Nevada residents afflicted with Parkinson’s disease.

RENO, Nevada – February 13, 2024 – This April 18, 2024, the cars at the National Automobile Museum in Reno will be joined by stars for “An Evening of Music & Motion,” bringing awareness to and raising funds for those living with Parkinson’s Disease. National non-profit foundation Drive Toward a Cure is bringing a multitude of automotive culture and talent together to benefit the Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada (PSCNN) – a center for support services and educational resources for the more than 5,000 Northern Nevada residents afflicted with the chronic disease.

Guests for the evening will have full access to the expansive Museum featuring prominent cars owned by performing artists as well as those driven by legendary racers who were challenged by Parkinson’s. The halo car for the evening is a 1952 Jaguar C-Type, (chassis XKC-007, the first C-Type Imported into the United States) having earned notable victory and podium finishes when driven by legendary gentleman driver and America’s first Formula One Champion Phil Hill. Hill succumbed to his own challenges with Parkinson’s in 2008, but he was a friend and inspiration to Drive Toward a Cure.

The evening will be highlighted by a 45-minute panel discussion moderated by globally renowned singer/actress/producer Vanessa Williams, and include panelists not only regarded for their professional achievements in the entertainment and automotive communities, but also, their personal advocacy for Parkinson’s.

Included in the conversation will be Rasheda Ali Walsh — known as much for her acting and writing as she is for being the daughter ofMuhammad Ali, the famed, undisputed heavyweight boxing champion who also lived with Parkinson’s for more than 30 years. Rasheda remains an advocate for Parkinson’s, especially through her ties to the Muhammad Ali Foundation at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Az.

Professional third-generation off-road driver and adventure creator Shelby Hall will also be sharing the stage. Shelby is the granddaughter and former teammate of the off-road legend and pioneer, Rod Hall, an Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame honoree and, among many accomplishments and records set, is noted as the winningest off-road racer in history. Rod is the only person to compete in the first 50 Baja 1000 races, with his final performance at age 80 while challenged by Parkinson’s disease.

The open discussion is expected to reveal the passion and pure emotion we all share when it comes to music and motion. According to Deb Pollack, founder of Drive Toward a Cure, “from the sound of a song, to the rumble of a hearty V8, there’s a certain nostalgia that grabs us from within, filling us with a bond in which we all can relate – however it’s the ‘motion’ part that brings us here for this event – because motion is more than transportation, it’s a form of ‘mobility’ and that brings us back to Parkinson’s.”

Through the love of the automobile and the bond of Cars and Camaraderie® nationwide Drive Toward a Cure has raised more than $1 million and contributed to Parkinson’s research and patient care within organizations ranging from the Michael J Fox Foundation and the more than 35 Centers of Excellence for the Parkinson Foundation to grassroots programs for nutrition and fitness including local clinics and Rock Steady Boxing facilities.

Programs ranging from multi-day drives to virtual wine tasting events, BBQs, on-track open touring laps and poker runs, have all provided a means to create lasting events and opportunities that can raise funds to enrich the lives of those living with Parkinson’s.

Pollack noted aligning with the Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada opens the doors for an incredible community to help benefit those that can’t often help themselves. Proceeds from the event, which will be raised through donations, silent auction items and sponsorships will be provided to create a growing resource for support groups, educational programming and local advocacy efforts.

“We want to show the more than 5,000 people with Parkinson’s disease in the Northern Nevada area that we care,” said Dr. Mindy Lokshin, Board Chair and Acting Director for PSCNN.

Tickets for the event, and sponsorship opportunities, can be found at: www.drivetowardacure.org/musicandmotion

About the National Automobile Museum:

One of America’s Top 10 Automobile Museums and named #1 Museum in Reno by TripAdvisor, the National Automobile Museum showcases more than 240 remarkable automobiles. It features theatre presentations and docent tours through 105,000 square feet of galleries, exhibits, vibrant street scenes, and accompanying artifacts that bring displays to life. It is committed to providing educational and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages. For more information about the National Automobile Museum, visit www.automuseum.org or call (775) 333-9300.

About Drive Toward a Cure:

National non-profit Foundation Drive Toward a Cure raises funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease research AND patient care by expanding our message throughout the automotive community at large. Inspired by the camaraderie found within the car 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 one million dollars to support BOTH research AND patient care.

Drive Toward a Cure is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation supporting beneficiaries including The Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Parkinson’s Foundation, and numerous regional Centers of Excellence for Parkinson’s. Grants are provided through Drive Toward a Cure’s ‘Access to Care’ and ‘Special Assistance’ grant funds, created to support challenged individuals and specific directive programs. For donations, sponsorship and event registration please view 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. The degeneration of dopamine-producing nerve cells can cause abnormal brain activity, leading to tremors, stiffness, rigidity, and impaired movement, as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.

Young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) occurs in people younger than 50 years of age, and affects about four percent of the nearly one million people with Parkinson’s in the U.S. (Current estimates are that about 2 percent of the 1 million people with Parkinson’s in the U.S. were diagnosed earlier than age 40). While symptoms are similar to late onset Parkinson’s, YOPD individuals often face challenges at a financial, family and employment level, making focusing on their own wellness and care more difficult.

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