Racetrac Teams Up with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to Raise $130,000
Each year, U.S. physicians diagnose 50–60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s, a neurodegenerative brain disorder that affects millions. The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s mission is to fund research to help find a cure and drive more effective treatments. Grants from the foundation range from $75,000 for quick turnaround projects aiming to establish initial data on a new research target to multi-million, multi-year funding for large-scale initiatives such as clinical trials.
RaceTrac decided to do their part in April’s National Parkinson’s Awareness Month by committing to raise $100,000 or more for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Through RaceTrac’s Coffee for a Cause promotion, proceeds from all coffee and specially marked World’s Finest Chocolate bars sold between April 25¬–29, 2011 at each of RaceTrac’s more than 300 stores was donated to the Fox Foundation. Guests also had the chance to donate at the counter or online at http://www.michaeljfox.org/racetrac.
“It’s thanks to partners such as RaceTrac that our Foundation has been able to direct more than $230 million to Parkinson’s research since 2000, pushing promising scientific discoveries toward pharmacy shelves and patients’ hands,” said Katie Hood, CEO of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. “The generosity of the RaceTrac family and its guests will help bring us one step closer to a cure for Parkinson’s.”
RaceTrac’s 2011 support of The Michael J. Fox Foundation went beyond Coffee for a Cause. Along with signage promoting the weeklong campaign, Fox Foundation brochures and fact sheets about Parkinson’s were prominently placed in stores. Select markets also hosted Founder’s Day 5K runs to draw attention to the cause. For each RaceTrac employee who participates in the races, RaceTrac donated $10 to the Foundation.
“Parkinson’s touches millions of American families, including the families of our customers and our colleagues,” said Allison Moran, RaceTrac Sr. Vice President. “Like all non-profit organizations RaceTrac supports, The Michael J. Fox Foundation's mission and operating ethics align with our own core values. Partnering with them has allowed us to give back in a meaningful way to the communities that support us.”
Through RaceTrac’s generous guests and employees, a $130,000 donation was made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Each year, RaceTrac intends to support The Fox Foundation in their continuous efforts to find a cure for Parkinson’s.
About RaceTrac
Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, RaceTrac has been serving guests since 1934. RaceTrac operates more than 300 convenience store locations in five southeastern states. A typical RaceTrac store features 4,000 plus square feet of convenience space with over 4,000 items available to satisfy the needs of its guests and up to 24 fueling positions. RaceTrac operates retail gasoline convenience stores in six metro markets, including: Atlanta, New Orleans, Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Dallas.
About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
As the world’s largest private funder of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson’s patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding over $230 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson’s research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases Parkinson’s awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. In observation of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Mayor Michael Bloomberg proclaimed April 8, 2011 The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Day in New York City. To help mark the occasion, the Empire State Building will be lit orange in honor of the Foundation and Parkinson’s patients, researchers and supporters worldwide. For more information, visit: www.michaeljfox.org; www.facebook.com/michaeljfoxfoundation.