AutoNation Shared Service Center donates $10,000 and delivers comfort bags for cancer patients served by Wipe Out Kids Cancer
Pediatric cancer patients in Dallas received comfort bags filled with toys, blankets, socks, messages of hope and more thanks to AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) Associates from the AutoNation Shared Service Center located in Irving, Texas. They filled and presented the comfort bags to cancer patients served by Wipe Out Kids Cancer. As part of North Texas Giving Day, AutoNation’s Shared Service Center also donated $10,000 to support the fight to end cancer.
AutoNation, America’s largest and most admired automotive retailer, celebrated its 7th Annual DRVPNK Across America Day across the country to support the company’s ongoing commitment to “drive out” cancer where the comfort bags were filled by Associates who also wrote the messages of hope. To date, more than 15,000 comfort bags have been delivered nationwide to children and adults undergoing treatment.
“I am proud of the charitable work our AutoNation Associates are doing in Texas and across the country,” said Ernie Santillanes, AutoNation Human Resources Director. “Through DRVPNK, AutoNation has made a considerable impact in the fight against cancer, raising over $30 million to drive out cancer and support critical research.”
AutoNation is a longstanding partner of Wipe Out Kids Cancer, having provided support and volunteer hours for many years.
Dallas-based Wipe Out Kids Cancer works relentlessly for a day when cancer is no longer a threat to any child, providing support to patients and families in all pediatric cancer treatment centers in Dallas/Fort Worth. Since its founding, Wipe Out Kids Cancer has provided $7 million in seed money for its novel research projects, which have received $22 million in additional grant money for childhood cancer research to increase survival rates, provide better treatment and help doctors better understand this disease.
AutoNation is recognized for “turning the auto industry pink” through its singular charitable mission, Drive Pink (DRVPNK). For every vehicle AutoNation sells or services, the company is driving towards $35 million donated to fight cancer. During November, AutoNation’s Cash Register Challenge partnered with the Dick Vitale Pediatric Fund at the V Foundation to support and raise funds for innovative pediatric cancer research. Customers could add donations to their credit or debit card transactions at all AutoNation dealerships, stores, and collision centers. Donations of all types and sizes were gratefully accepted and 100% of the funds raised went directly towards helping pediatric cancer patients and their families in many meaningful ways, as well as supporting scientific research to find a cure.
