We at CCF for PSP Awareness are deeply saddened by the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights pioneer, at age 84 on February 17, 2026, in Chicago. His death marks the end of a valiant battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disease.
Jesse Jackson’s PSP Journey
Rev. Jackson was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017, managing symptoms while staying active in advocacy for over a decade. In April 2025, doctors updated his diagnosis to PSP, which shares early symptoms like movement issues but progresses to affect balance, vision, speech, and cognition.
Despite PSP’s challenges, Jackson continued public appearances, protesting racial injustice into the Black Lives Matter era. He stepped down from Rainbow/PUSH Coalition leadership in 2023 as the disease advanced.
In November 2025, he was hospitalized for PSP observation at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. In his final months, PSP robbed him of speech, but he communicated through hand squeezes, surrounded by family. He died peacefully at home after battling infections and progression.
What is PSP?
PSP is a rare brain disorder causing gradual loss of movement control, falls, eye problems, and swallowing difficulties. It affects about 6 in 100,000 people, often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s initially. No cure exists, but awareness drives research.
Join CCF for PSP Awareness: donate, share stories, advocate for research. Together, we honor his fight. #PSPAwareness
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