CurePSP Awareness and Memorial Walk Brings 200 to Mackle Park

A picture-perfect winter day welcomed 200 supporters of the 19th Annual CurePSP Awareness and Memorial Walk, Saturday, March 19th at Mackle Park. In addition to the walk drawing a record number of participants, there was also a record amount of money raised for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare prime of life brain disease.

"This is the 19th walk organized by the Southwest Florida support group for people who have PSP, CBD or MSA,” said Kristophe Diaz, executive director and chief science officer of CurePSP, a national charitable foundation focusing on Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).

“They are three neurological diseases that are similar to Alzheimer's and similar to Parkinson’s, but they are rare, so they’re hard to diagnose,” Diaz said. "This group in Southwest Florida helps people cope with the disease once they’ve had a diagnosis. Nineteen years ago, they started with a grassroots effort to put together this walk. The one thing we did differently this year is we connected it to research projects. All the money raised before, during and after the walk goes to fund a specific research project. We physically beat the record this year. We raised over $230,000. This is the largest group we’ve ever had. We’re funding the work of scientist Sally Temple, who has a non-profit in Rensselaer, New York, next to Albany. So, all the money raised goes to this research project - that’s a nice little story. We’re connecting real tip-of-the-spear type of research, with those who need it the most. Because a lot of people here are caregivers or have lost someone to the disease."

Local organizer, Cindy MacDonald, is thrilled with the turnout. This is the first time since the pandemic that the group has gotten together in person.

“This is fantastic,” McDonald said, “the most people we’ve ever had here. And financially, this is the best year for monies raised. I’m very thrilled. Last year we raised $106,000 online. This is our first live fundraiser in two years."