SANDUSKY, OHIO – The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation (MTJF) teamed up with The NASCAR Foundation teamed up along with more than 40 drivers from all three NASCAR Series to implement the Nominate a Cancer Hero Program.
September is designated as childhood and ovarian cancer awareness month and the two foundations teamed up to celebrate and support those champions who have overcome the battles of childhood and ovarian cancer.
Fans had the opportunity to nominate a cancer hero to “ride with” their favorite driver for this weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Drivers auctioned off their driver signature location to be replaced with a cancer hero’s name.
Proceeds from this program will support the MTJF Children’s Emergency Department in Huntersville, N.C., as well as integrative therapies for women and children undergoing cancer treatments and child life services across our racing communities.
Johnny Sauter will have Rick Earle riding with him on the No. 13 Vivitar Ford F-150. Nominated by Dane Gross. Earle lost his battle with colon cancer January 29, 2020. Labor Day of 2018 he entered the hospital with what the family thought was severe issues related to his Chrohn’s Disease. It was determined that he had a blockage of his instances and food was not passing. Things snowballed from there. Eventually the cancer was discovered in the Spring of 2019. It was aggressive and didn’t respond to chemo and the severe scar tissue in his abdomen made x-rays and scans useless. Doctors couldn’t see what was going on inside. The family new the situation was dire. Many top name hospitals would not even look at taking on his case due to the Chrohn’s Disease. Eventually the Hospital at the University of Penn decided they would try.
Matt Crafton will have June Rae Sherwood riding with him on his No. 88 Black Label Bacon / Menards Ford F-150. Nominated by her son John Sherwood. The older Sherwood has battled cancer three times over the last 45 years (breast and bone cancer) and has beat it every time. The last time, just about a year ago was a nine hour surgery where they removed three ribs and the tumor, part of her lung for another tumor and built some new fake ribs in the gap. June was up and walking the next morning. The family can’t thank the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, California enough for the miracle they pulled off. June celebrated her 80th birthday on Aug. 7 and is doing great. Her mother ( Pauline) also just celebrated her 102nd birthday in May.
Grant Enfinger will have Dr. Jean Bolton will be riding with him on the No. 98 Champion Power Equipment Ford F-150. Nominated by Floyd Enfinger, Jr. Enfinger knew Dr. Bolton his entire life and his family has been friends with Dr. Bolton’s family for decades. Dr. Bolton was a great doctor that faced her disease with bravery and honesty. She saved the life of Grant’s sister by diagnosing a serious condition.
Ben Rhodes will have H. Ray Mills, Jr., riding with him on the No. 99 Tenda Ford F-150. Nominated by Bobby Patterson, Mills’ brother-in-law. Mills fought his cancer hard and bravely. He was a shining example of grace during his fight. The nominee’s nephew, Nicholas Patterson, is Rhodes’ jackman.
-TSR-
About MTJ Foundation
Martin Truex Jr. Foundation’s mission is to raise awareness and funds for the women, children and their loved ones who bravely face treatment and often grim prognoses. The MTJ Foundation is in the building process of two projects with Novant Health after making a $1.2 million gift. The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation Children’s Emergency Department at Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center will be the only one of its kind devoted exclusively to caring for children and teens open 24 hours a day, seven days a week serving the Lake Norman, North Carolina communities.
The SherryStrong Integrative Medicine Oncology Clinic is currently scheduled to open in October 2020 in Charlotte and will enhance the current Novant Health Integrative Medicine program, which takes a holistic approach to managing the physical and emotional effects of cancer treatment, recovery and survivorship by combining a range of complementary therapies and healthy lifestyle practices with modern medicine.
Additionally, MTJ Foundation recently made a $750,000 transformational gift to Atrium Health where the funds will be used to support integrative medicine programs at Levine Cancer Institute and pediatric cancer programs at Levine Children’s Hospital.
About The NASCAR Foundation
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc. (NASCAR) established The NASCAR Foundation in January 2006 to support initiatives that positively affect the lives of children throughout the United States. The 501(c) (3) non-profit entity partners with medical experts and other charitable organizations to fund children’s health care programs. The NASCAR Foundation has cumulatively donated more than $36 million to reach more than 1.4 million children. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, visit NASCARfoundation.org. Follow The NASCAR Foundation on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NASCARFoundation or on Twitter at @NASCAR_FDN.