New $1 million
commitment will fund Breast Cancer Research Foundation project
at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
FORT
LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 22,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN)
and Dolphins Challenge Cancer are teaming up to address
critical health disparities linked to social, economic and
environmental factors with a new $1
million commitment to be distributed over four years to the
Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). The gift will fund a
project that will advance the scientific understanding of the
relationship between social determinants of health, specifically,
neighborhood disadvantage and breast cancer mortality.
"At AutoNation, our commitment to DRV PNK and the communities
within which our businesses are located goes far beyond selling and
servicing cars and trucks. Through DRV PNK, alongside the support
of our Customers, Associates, and the communities we call home, we
stand united in our mission to drive out cancer," said Mike Manley, AutoNation's Chief Executive
Officer. "We've joined hands with long-term partners of our
organization and together are investing in groundbreaking research.
Our commitment to enhancing the communities we're a part of is
ingrained in our identity."
Conducted by a team of researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive
Cancer Center, part of UHealth – the University of Miami Health System, and led by BCRF
investigator and surgeon-scientist Dr. Neha
Goel, the research project will enhance the understanding of
the links between neighborhood disadvantage and aggressive breast
cancer. Despite significant advances in breast cancer screening,
diagnosis and treatment, data has shown that women living in
low-income neighborhoods have a higher breast cancer mortality rate
compared to those in affluent neighborhoods. Initial research has
indicated that the drivers of this survival gap are multifactorial
and intrinsically linked to the racial disparities in breast cancer
outcomes.
"We are so grateful for the commitment of our long-time partners
at AutoNation and the support of Dolphins Challenge Cancer," said
BCRF Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Dorraya El-Ashry. "Dr. Goel's
research will help to define how one's neighborhood, right here in
South Florida impacts their breast
cancer, not just in terms of access to care, but also in terms of
its influence over the tumor's characteristics and behavior and
ultimately, their survival outcomes. This partnership is providing
us with the ability to identify the deeply complex role that social
determinants of health such as environmental stress and
neighborhood play in breast cancer mortality."
The million-dollar commitment along with representatives from
each organization and breast cancer survivors from the South Florida area will be highlighted pregame
at the Miami Dolphins home opener on Sunday,
Sept. 24, when the Dolphins take on the Denver Broncos. In
addition to the pre-game recognition, the Miami Dolphins team store
will be selling exclusive "Tackling Cancer" lapel pins with 100% of
the purchase price benefitting the BCRF.
"We're excited to partner with AutoNation as we further our
commitment to support our ONE TEAM, ONE FIGHT efforts to fund
lifesaving cancer research," Miami Dolphins Challenge Cancer
Executive Director Javier Sanchez
said. "It's special when you team up with other industry-leading
organizations such as AutoNation, BCRF, and Sylvester and work
together to tackle critical cancer disparities. We believe this
research is fundamental to best serving the South Florida community and beyond."
Giving back and taking care of people is an integral part of
AutoNation's culture. Through DRV PNK, AutoNation has donated more
than $37 million over the past 10
years to an extensive network of charitable community partners,
generating awareness and supporting critical research and treatment
from coast to
coast.
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, a provider of personalized transportation services,
is driven by innovation and transformation. As one of America's
most admired companies, AutoNation delivers a peerless Customer
experience recognized by data-driven consumer insight leaders,
Reputation and J.D. Power. Through its bold leadership and brand
affinity, the AutoNation Brand is synonymous with "DRVPNK" and
"What Drives You, Drives Us." AutoNation has a singular focus on
personalized transportation services that are easy, transparent,
and Customer-centric.
Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and
www.twitter.com/AutoNation, where AutoNation discloses additional
information about the Company, its business, and its results of
operations. Please also visit www.autonationdrive.com, AutoNation's
automotive blog, for information regarding the AutoNation
community, the automotive industry, and current automotive news and
trends.
About Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC)
The Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC) was founded in 2010 by the
Miami Dolphins organization as the signature initiative of the
Foundation's health impact area and has become the largest
fundraising event in the NFL. The DCC's purpose is to improve
people's lives through financial support for innovative cancer
research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the
University of Miami Health System.
Since its inception, the DCC has raised more than $64 million, donating 100 percent of
participant-raised funds to Sylvester. For more information, visit
www.DolphinsChallengeCancer.com.
About Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth —
University of Miami Health System and
the University of Miami Miller School
of Medicine, is the only National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated
cancer center in South Florida. We
are known as South Florida's
leader in patient-focused cancer research and care and offer the
only phase 1 clinical trials program in the region. Sylvester is a
High Performing cancer center among the nation's top 10% in
leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and in colon, lung, ovarian,
prostate and uterine cancer surgeries. With a network of 10
outpatient treatment facilities throughout South Florida, Sylvester operates 15 site
disease groups including transplant and cellular therapy and skin,
thoracic, myeloma, lymphoma, gynecological, genitourinary,
gastrointestinal, neuro-oncology, sarcoma, pediatric, endocrine,
leukemia/hematology, breast and head and neck cancers.
About Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF)
Breast cancer is a complex disease with no simple solution.
Every diagnosis is unique and puts lives at risk. We must stop
breast cancer in its tracks, and research is the answer. Founded in
1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, the Breast
Cancer Research Foundation is the largest private funder of breast
cancer research in the world. We invest in a wide range of
research—including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship,
and metastasis—because each area of investigation informs another,
propelling us toward the solutions we urgently need. We convene and
connect the best minds in science--giving them the opportunity to
pursue their most innovative ideas. Our combination of investment
and cross-disciplinary collaboration accelerates the entire field
and builds momentum for new discoveries. BCRF-funded investigators
have been behind every major breakthrough in breast cancer
research, and the field is moving faster than ever. We can't stop
now. With you, and the entire BCRF community, we are fueling the
world's most promising research. Join us—together, we will bring
the end of breast cancer into focus. Learn more and get involved at
BCRF.org.
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SOURCE AutoNation, Inc.