[ back ]
Race car driver partners to raise money to find cure
(by Sali McSherry - June 21, 2012)
Race car driver partners to raise money to find cure
By SALI McSHERRY
What do race cars and kick ball have to do with each other? Just ask NASCAR race car driver Jeff Gordon and kick-ball super star Quinn Clarke, a Chagrin Falls sixth grader.
Both founded organizations to help kids.
Kick-It is a national grassroots fundraising game started by Quinn, a cancer survivor who wanted to make a difference in every child diagnosed with cancer.
Mr. Gordon, who founded Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation, said, "I am really excited about this new partnership. We are confident this will take childhood cancer to the forefront and bring it the awareness and funding it deserves."
The Clarke family met Mr. Gordon last weekend at the infield of the Michigan International Speedway in Jackson. Quinn was thrilled to meet him, said his mother, Allison, who had met Mr. Gordon before because his foundation has been so supportive of Flashes of Hope, an organization she founded, which has a mission of "photographing every child until every child is cured."
Quinn said, "He does so much to help kids with cancer that I bet he is really good dad too."
"In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month I will be personally matching all funds raised for games played on behalf of the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation during the month of September," he said. "Sports Illustrated" is running free full-time advertisements all summer for the Kick-it campaign.
Kick-It brings community, family, friends and co-workers together to raise money for childhood cancer research. The concept is easy -- kick the ball, run the bases and score big in the fight against pediatric cancer, according to Mrs. Clarke.
"We truly admire Jeff Gordon's commitment to children with cancer. Our son, Quinn, founded Kick-it with the dream to raise enough money to find a cure. He is beyond excited that Jeff Gordon is kicking it with him and the 13,500 children diagnosed with cancer every year."
Additionally, Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation has launched a new social media campaign centered on the Kick-It program called "I'm Kicking It." To participate, download the Kick-It sign, write a reason to support the initiative and upload it to the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation Facebook page. The campaign will feature people from all walks of life who support the cause, from pediatric cancer patients to professional athletes. Then each week, Mr. Gordon will pick his favorite "I'm Kicking It" reason.
The Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation was established in 1999 by the four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. The foundation supports children battling pediatric cancer by funding programs that improve patients' quality of life, treatment programs that increase survivorship and pediatric medical research dedicated to finding a cure. In addition, the foundation also supports the Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital in Concord, NC.
In a few short years, Kick-It has raised over $850,000 for children's cancer research. Kick-It utilizes national medical advisory boards to identify the most promising research studies and projects including clinical research of the Children's Oncology Group.
[ back ]
