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Sonny Whelen Retires from Driving to Race Toward a Cure for Parkinson’s

Sonny Whelen Retires from Driving to Race Toward a Cure for Parkinson’s

MJFF Board member Sonny Whelen has been driving race cars for the past 12 years. During six of those, he’s had Parkinson’s disease. But this hasn’t stopped him from winning won two national championships in the Viper Racing League.

Whelen recently announced his retirement from racing, deciding instead to “race for a cure” for Parkinson’s. He says, “I do as much as I can. I learned how to drive, to race, I started a team. I’m doing the same with Parkinson’s disease. I became involved with The Michael J. Fox Foundation, because they’re devoted to finding a cure.”

Whelen has joined Team Fox to help speed Parkinson’s research progress. He’s turned several upcoming racing-related events in community fundraisers and is hosting a concert. He’s also excited about MJFF’s $50-million Brin Wojcicki Challenge. “We’re at $30 million and we’re hoping to raise the rest before the end of the year. That’s my new challenge, and I’m challenging all my fellow racers out there, too.”

In support of his efforts, the North American Road Racing Association has placed a link to Whelen’s Team Fox page on their NARRAonline.com and facebook.com/NARRAonline websites.

Whelen says, “[Parkinson’s] is something you can continue to live with, and still do a lot of the things you want to do… I’ve still had a lot of fun, and even won a couple of races.”

Read more in the North American Road Racing Association’s press release.

 

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