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Fundraising for Tasca's JDRF-themed Funny Car Raises $84,542 for Type 1 Diabetes Research

Tuesday August 5, 2008

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 5, 2008 – The votes are in, and after five weeks of online voting for the JDRF-themed design that will appear on Bob Tasca III’s Shelby Mustang Funny Car during the NHRA U.S Nationals, a total of $84,542 was raised for research for type 1 diabetes.

Over 300 designs were submitted for the online contest, and the top six donation-earning designs have been submitted to the Ford judging table for final selection. The winning design will be unveiled on Tasca’s race car in downtown Indianapolis on August 28.

“The goal of this design contest was to help raise awareness for JDRF, and with over $84,000 in donations from people from all across the country, I think we accomplished that goal,” said Al Giombetti, Ford Customer Service Division executive director. “We’re very excited to have one of the top six designs on our car during the U.S. Nationals in Indy, and look forward to continuing our partnership with JDRF.”

The online fundraising contest, sponsored by Motorcraft and Quick Lane, was put into place to help raise awareness and funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), which is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research worldwide.

“We are very excited at how much support was shown from within JDRF and for JDRF from people all across the country through the online car design contest,” said Gina Roche-Kelly, senior account manager, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Ford Global Walk Team. “We’re very grateful to the Motorcraft and Quick Lane employees at Ford for helping get us closer to our goal of finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.”

The winning designer will participate in the unveiling of their car in Indianapolis, prior to the running of the U.S. Nationals over Labor Day weekend. The winner will also spend time with the Tasca racing team at the track, and see their car design run during qualifications for the race.

Top Six Designers:
Samuel Millard: Age 6, raised $6,801: Greater Dallas Chapter
Steven Klingbiel: Age 10, raised $6,220: Metro Detroit Chapter
Kevin Mewhinney: Age 10, raised $5,780: Northeast Ohio Chapter
Allie Puntel: Age 15, raised $5,643: Northeast Ohio Chapter
Alex Nolan: Age 13, Raised 5,595: Charlotte Chapter
Riley Wayland: Age 12, raised $5,395: Greater Dallas Chapter

To view the top six designs and the rest of the JDRF car designs, please visit www.jdrf.org/ford.

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease, which strikes children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.

Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.16 billion to diabetes research, including more than $137 million in FY2007. In FY2007, the Foundation funded 700 centers, grants and fellowships in 20 countries. http://www.jdrf.org

About Quick Lane
Quick Lane® provides automotive quick services for all makes and models. Quick Lane’s® nationwide network of over 500 facilities provides the convenience of an aftermarket company (no appointment necessary, service while you wait, evening and weekend hours, competitive prices) with the confidence of a major automotive manufacturer (quality parts, factory-trained technicians). Quick Lane® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.quicklane.com.

About Motorcraft
Motorcraft offers a complete line of original equipment-approved parts that are designed, engineered, and recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood and powertrain repairs, Motorcraft parts offer exceptional value with the highest quality and right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available locally and are backed nationwide by Ford Motor Company’s Service Parts Limited Warranty. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.

FRONTSTRETCH LIVE AT THE TRACK THIS WEEKEND AT LOUDON!
Popular writer Amy Henderson will be tracking all the action at New Hampshire from inside the garage, giving you the stories you’re looking for with a special edition of our Newsletter planned over the weekend. It all culminates on Sunday with her special participation in our LIVE blog during the Lenox Industrial Tools 301, paired with our usual panel of expert analysts! It’s three days of going the extra mile for you … so we hope you enjoy it!

This report was provided by an outside PR source and posted by Kim DeHaven.

 

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