Submitted PhotoThe late Renee Jackson, 54, attends the 2017 Team Winnersville ALS Walk at the Lowndes High School track.

VALDOSTA — With almost one year of her mom’s passing approaching, Kayla McCurdy has begun organizing the Third Annual Team Winnersville ALS Walk.

Renee Jackson, 54, died last April of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The walk will be held in her honor 10 a.m. Saturday, April 13, at the Lowndes High School track. Registration is 9 a.m.

“Organizing this walk and raising money for those affected by ALS is very important to me,” McCurdy said. “It’s a way to honor my mom and keep her memory alive.”

McCurdy established the Renee Jackson Foundation in January to help discover a cure for ALS and to aid community members affected by ALS.

Any donations assist with supporting community members with ALS-related financial needs, as well as funding research.

Donations will also go to scholarships for people seeking degrees in related medical fields.

“Our long-term goal is to build Renee’s Retreat, a fully accessible getaway home for ALS patients and their families,” McCurdy said. “It would be a place for those recently diagnosed to escape and reflect or for more progressed patients to vacation.”

The Winnersville walk will also be held in honor of Rita Roten, John W. Langdale, Warren Coats, Felton Daugherty, Linda Irby, Bill Hardesty, Darlene Davis, Bunnis Williams, Sonia Victorio, Wanda Fortune, Donna Sikes Jones, Vince Poppell, Randy Ruditz, Jimmy Everett, J.V. Downing and Bob Dobransky.

“Having seen first hand how terrible this disease can be makes me want to do everything possible to help find a cure so no one else ever has to go through the pain and heartache that my family experienced,” McCurdy said.

“Over the past two years, I’ve watched other families come together on walk day to remember their loved ones as well. It’s an opportunity for all of us to lean on each other and know there are other people that have been in your shoes.”

The targeted goal for the event is $25,000. Participation is free, but T-shirts are available to anyone who makes at least a $25 donation.

Advanced registration can be completed online at reneejacksonfoundation.com. Hot dogs, hamburgers, snow cones, popcorn and drinks will be sold.

Sponsors are being accepted until April 5 to be included on marketing materials, according to organizers. Sponsorship levels range from $250-$2,000.

Visit the foundation’s website to learn more about sponsoring. 

Amanda M. Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.