AMBOY– Derrek Barlow’s life changed about five years ago.

First there was realizing something in the noggin wasn’t right. Then there was an inaccurate diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, followed by more tests, additional doctors, and finally the correct (but no one would mind if it was wrong or wasn’t true) discovery.

Barlow, now 56, had acquired Corticobasal degeneration (CBD). He, his wife Ann, and his four children Brandon (now 31), Carley (29), Brittany (23), and Carson (a senior at Amboy High School) had no idea what CBD or PSP were.

“CurePSP raises money for three different diseases that are pretty much the same,” said Carley, now Hagemann after marrying Zach. “They each just mess with a different strand of the brain. The way that I understand it best is CBD is Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease together. Once it hits, your brain is shrinking and you’re losing functionality of your body.

“Research has shown, once you’re diagnosed, you have five years to live but there isn’t a lot of people with these diseases. As time moves forward, more and more people are being diagnosed.”

The three similar diseases are CBD, Progressive Supranuclear palsy (PSP), and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).

Hagemann not knowing how to help her dad found her niche.

After Derrek was one of the first CBD patients to have a surgery done common with Parkinson’s disease patients featuring brain stimulations in 2021, Hagemann organized a fundraiser.

As she realized there wasn’t a cure and there was an organization, CurePSP, always searching for funding, Hagemann decided to continually help her father and the cause.

“I started it because there was something I needed to do for him because there was nothing else I could do,” Hagemann said. “I can’t change his disease. For me to cope, this is what I’m doing. We have met another family (live in Sycamore but originally from Rock Falls) who’s mom passed away from a disease in 2024. They’ve participated in our 5K the last two years and this year we’re going to have a memorial for her this year.

“The goal is to have a cure. If it isn’t going to be for my dad, I want to help other families. My dad is my best friend. This is something that is so close to me. My aunts, my siblings, and my entire family, on both sides, comes together for this. It’s a fun day.”

This birthed Race to Beat PSP, a 5K Hagemann created to give back. The third version of the race is set for 8 a.m. Saturday, May 17 with the start at 11 E. Hawley St. in Amboy.

The race, which runs the same route as the Depot Day Dash, costs $25 for registration, which is 100 percent given to CurePSP.

“It’s amazing to have people who care that much and support me, it’s a God send,” said Barlow. “It would be tough for me to go through this without all of the support I’ve had. Every little thing you can take from all of this helps you get through your day and keep you going.

“I feel bad for all of the work Carley puts into this. She’s amazing. I don’t know what I’d do without her. We wouldn’t have had this race without Carley because no one else was going to do it. I never thought it would get to be this big.

“I thought if our whole family and a few friends came to it, it would be a success. To see how many people have come, it’s just amazing. I’m very thankful for everyone who is involved and participates.”

The first year, 100 people participated. Last year, there were 136.

The family goal is for 150 people to join the race, the festivities, the fundraising on May 17.

“He has definitely beat the odds because they diagnosed him with MS first and now, he’s gotten this far,” Hagemann said. “He has beat the odds, but he is also very young. A lot of people who get diagnosed with these three diseases are older. They can hit anyone, but he is young to get it.

“We are thankful for the community. Amboy has supported us no matter what. Everyone is a big part of this.”