NASCAR car makeover driving awareness of pediatric blood cancer
Blood Cancer United teaming up with motor oil company, auto racing group
The advocacy organization Blood Cancer United has teamed up with motor oil company Valvoline Global and auto racing group Hendrick Motorsports to raise awareness of pediatric blood cancer by giving a makeover to a NASCAR car driven by a two-time Daytona 500 winner.
Earlier this month, in recognition of Blood Cancer Awareness Month, the partners revealed a unique car paint scheme to drive awareness of childhood blood cancer — and rally support for Blood Cancer United, formerly known as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
The one-of-a-kind paint job, which features images such as unicorns and confetti, was created with input from several survivors of pediatric blood cancer.
The car in question is the No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet driven by William Byron, a NASCAR Cup Series regular season champion. Byron was there for the unveiling event, held at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, along with other big NASCAR names such as Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick and vice chairman Jeff Gordon.
“Together, we are truly unstoppable in our mission to create a brighter future for children with blood cancer,” E. Anders Kolb, MD, president and CEO of Blood Cancer United, said in a Valvoline press release that called the paint scheme “a symbol of hope.”
“With the support of our partner, Valvoline Global, and in collaboration with Hendrick Motorsports, we are able to share our message of hope with millions of fans around the world and drive forward our shared goal of a better tomorrow,” Kolb said.
New design highlights ‘race for a world without blood cancer’
Later this month, the newly designed car will stop at Valvoline Global’s headquarters in Kentucky to support Blood Cancer United’s Dare to Dream Project, a multimillion dollar initiative to transform care for children with blood cancer.
“We are raising $175 million to support global, collaborative research and treatments for children’s blood cancers, the LLS PedAL Master Clinical Trial, as well as widening our range of free education, personalized support services, connection to financial assistance, and advocacy on behalf of all children and their families,” Blood Cancer United states on a project webpage. The nonprofit calls LLS PedAL “the first-ever pediatric acute leukemia master clinical trial.”
The goal of this new partnership, according to Valvoline, is to highlight the “race for a world without blood cancer.”
This paint scheme is more than just colors on a race car – it represents courage, hope and the incredible spirit of the young patients who created it. … Our team is proud to shine a light on the fight against pediatric blood cancer and celebrate these inspiring kids.
“At Valvoline Global, we are driven by our enduring purpose to inspire and enable what — and who — moves the world forward,” said Jamal Muashsher, president and CEO of Valvoline Global. “Our work with Blood Cancer United is a testament to this commitment, and we are honored to continue supporting this worthy cause to create a better tomorrow for these children and their families.”
On Oct. 5, Byron will take the car’s wheel at the ROVAL 400 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he will also be joined by several pediatric cancer survivors who helped create the design.
“This paint scheme is more than just colors on a race car — it represents courage, hope and the incredible spirit of the young patients who created it,” Byron said. “Carrying their artwork at my hometown race, with a partner like Valvoline Global that is dedicated to such an important cause, makes it even more special. We’re fortunate to have a world-class facility like Levine Children’s Hospital here in Charlotte, but not every family has that kind of access. Our team is proud to shine a light on the fight against pediatric blood cancer and celebrate these inspiring kids.”
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