Daytona Beach, Fla. – March 23, 2011 – When the Rolex 24 At Daytona came to an end after 24 grueling hours not only had the No. 4 Children’s Tumor Foundation Porsche GT3 completed 658 laps and finished eighth in its class, it had helped surpass $1 million raised to date for research into treatments for neurofibromatosis (NF).
Additionally, the Foundation continues to raise funds for CTF, beginning with the auctioning of driver Kenny Wallace’s driving suit. Known for his colorful character on and off the track in the NASCAR ranks, Kenny Wallace joined the No. 4 team for his first Rolex 24 in nearly two decades, and donated his uniform to be raffled off following the event.
The funds were raised through Racing4Research (www.racing4research.org), a unique fundraising program run by the Children’s Tumor Foundation in partnership with TRG. Racing4Research allows donors to make per lap or flat pledges to help raise funds and awareness for NF and then follow the race the SPEED channel throughout the weekend. Additionally, the program features NF Heroes, this year 91 in all, who are affected by NF and whose names appear on the No. 4 CTF Porsche. More than 200 supporters – sponsors, NF Heroes, family, and friends – joined the team in Daytona with the NF Heroes signing the car in what has become an emotional Racing4Research tradition.
“What makes our Racing4Research effort so special is the presence and participation of our NF Heroes from across the country,” said Foundation President George Orfanakos. “It is important for those living with neurofibromatosis to know that the Children’s Tumor Foundation is by their side and that they are not alone in their fight against this disorder. Much like our No. 4 car, those suffering from NF face many unexpected challenges throughout the race of life. We want them to know the Children’s Tumor Foundation is by their side – in the pits – helping to find a cure and getting them back on track for a long healthy life.”
NF is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and can lead to loss of vision and hearing, disfigurement, loss of limbs, skeletal defects, and various forms of cancer, including juvenile leukemia. NF affects one in 3,000 children born, more than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease combined.
Source: Grand-Am
Photo: 9 Magazine
