Cars2Cure joins race against breast cancer | Community Spirit

If you bought a car, truck or van at City Auto in October 2011, you helped pay for mammograms that some women might otherwise have been unable to afford.  City Auto launched a  campaign, entitled Cars2Cure, and raised $35,000 so far in support of breast cancer education, awareness and research. Full disclosure: I had the honor of speaking at the 2010 City Auto Christmas Party at the Tower Room high atop the Clark Tower in exchange for a charity check for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. At that event, one employee made a significant gift in addition to the one from City Auto. The point is, these are generous people! For every vehicle sold in October 2011, City Auto donated $25 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure. In addition, employees, contractors and vendors made gifts as well.  

“Cars2Cure holds a unique significance for many members of our team,” remarks Lynsey Freeman, Marketing Manager for City Auto.  “From management to contractors to women who work here, nearly everyone has been personally affected by breast cancer and is motivated to support the battle to eradicate this disease.  For instance, earlier this year, one of our affiliated vendors lost his wife to this disease after a long, hard fight.  Individual stories like this bring us together as a group to combat breast cancer in a powerful, meaningful way – raising funds and awareness at the same time.”

Elaine Hare, Executive Director of the Memphis MMid-Soutrh Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure explained how the funds City Auto raised will be distributed. “These funds provide almost $9,000 dollars for breast cancer research and the remainder, more than $25,000, goes toward our education and screening grants here in the MidSouth,” says Hare.  “These funds will provide mammograms for more women as mammograms are key in the detection of breast cancer.  Gifts like this help us to help our community. Together, we make an impact.”
 
City Auto was very pleased with the amount they were able to collect for the cause.  And, there are plans for this support to continue.  “The response was so overwhelming,” remarked Freeman, “that we will work to raise breast cancer awareness year-round via our www.cars2cure.com <http://www.cars2cure.com>  website and appearances of the City Auto Cars2Cure Beetle at various community events.  Our goal is to grow this annual campaign so that it is even more far-reaching, allowing many more Mid-Southerners to contribute to the fight against breast cancer.  We are continually encouraging people to ‘Shop City Auto and Drive Home Hope.’”  

Those not in need of a car, but wanting to donate to the cause, may do so online via www.cars2cure.com <http://www.cars2cure.com> or by stopping by any First Tennessee Bank location where donations are also accepted.

For information about the Cars2Cure program, visit www.cars2cure.com <http://www.cars2cure.com> or call Lynsey Freeman at 901-377-9502.