At Drive Toward a Cure® we’re all about helping others who can’t help themselves – specifically those living with Parkinson’s.

Since 2016, our friends in the automotive community have become even more than friends -- a true car family -- helping us to raise nearly $1.3mm to benefit programs and directives for Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, our own ‘Special Assistance’ and ‘Access to Care’ grant funds were created to make today's challenges for individuals and groups a bit easier.

For those who may have known PR maven KEVIN SMITH through the decades – during his time serving SAAB, Cadillac, Lotus, and Genesis – you’ll likely recall his bright smile, true kindness, and love of cars.

In 2018, Kevin called to share that he’d been diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s. He was scared but determined, and we connected him with our friends at Emory University’s Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence in Atlanta, where he began a new journey surrounded by care and compassion.

When his health declined, our Drive Toward a Cure community came together through our “Everyone Needs a Kevin” campaign — raising funds to help him move into better housing, maintain treatment, and find comfort. The car world truly showed its heart, especially last Christmas, when 23 Atlanta car friends brought their special rides to visit Kevin, sharing joy and holiday spirit with him one by one. And throughout the season, thanks to YOUR help -- we were able to give back to someone in our own automotive family, who had been challenged and needed additional support, ranging from transportation for his neurological appointments to daily care resources and support groups. 

Sadly, on November 11th, 2025, Kevin’s wife Agnes shared that he passed peacefully, surrounded by love. Our hearts are with his family.

Kevin will always remain a part of Drive Toward a Cure’s story — and in 2026, we’ll honor him within a new Family Fund to support others living with Parkinson’s, extending the same care that once lifted him. Ongoing donations in Kevin’s memory can be made here https://www.drivetowardacure.org/fundraising/kevin

Please #HelpUsHelpOthers and, for now, #HelpHonorKevin -- we've all been in this together throughout our careers, friendships, and journeys. Please remember Kevin.

View the participating "interesting" vehicles that joined our "heart-raiser" for Kevin Smith last Xmas - click to view photos here:: https://www.shutterfly.com/share-product/?shareid=8a7040c8-7773-4cd1-8e19-c510bf9fee5b&cid=SHARPRDWEBMPRLNK

Thank you to our automotive family – from enthusiasts to professional organizations and even manufacturers – for supporting our efforts through multi-day drives, virtual events, online auctions, and additional clubs, groups, and organizations creating 1-day programs on our behalf nationwide. More than $1mm has already been raised to benefit local, regional, and grassroots programs and directives for Parkinson’s disease.

Drive Toward a Cure is a national 501(c)3 foundation that raises money for Parkinson's Disease research and patient care.