Hey everyone!
First of all, I want to thank you for checking out my blog post!
We here at the Joey Logano Foundation are excited about this new program we are working on. As you know, this is a very important time of the year for my team and we are focused on winning each week and going for the 2015 Championship! Just as important as what we are doing on the track, having time to reflect on the work being done in the community by the charities we are supporting is very special to me as well.
This month, we will be focused on raising awareness for two extremely important causes, both highlighted in the month of September.
This Week’s Cause: Pediatric Cancer
People are always asking me and Brittany when we are going to start a family. I hear the question so often, but as I sat down to write this blog, it really dawned on me that sometimes the plans you have for your family don’t always turn out the way you thought they would. I can’t imagine what cancer means to a parent. I think about how incredible it will be to one day have children. To hear they are sick would tear me apart.
I wanted to learn more about pediatric cancer so I did some research. I discovered some interesting statistics online through CureSearch (http://curesearch.org/) about the issue. Currently, 43 kids are diagnosed each day with a form of cancer. That means every car on the track represents a child who will be diagnosed with cancer that day. Currently, 1 out of 8 of those children will not survive. Cancer is responsible for 58% of childhood deaths each year. This was all really surprising to me because I did not realize the issue was so big.
This Week’s Joey Logano Foundation Chasing Second Chances Non-Profit Partner
The non-profit partner we are supporting this week as we head to Chicagoland Speedway is Bear Necessities. This Chicago-based non-profit is a national organization dedicated to eliminating pediatric cancer and to providing hope and support to those who are touched by it. They accomplish their mission through two unique areas – the Bear Hugs Program and the Bear Discoveries Program.
I really admire how Kathleen took something tragic and has since helped so many children and families during their fight. I am excited that on Sunday, I will meet some of these families and the children who have battled this disease so bravely. We are excited to support Bear Necessities this week and hope you will check out their site to learn more!
