Fans and racers at Lucas Oil Raceway this past weekend helped the Andrea Pedregon Charity Foundation “A Spark of Hope” (APCF) raise funds that will benefit the IU Simon Cancer Center’s colon and prostate cancer research efforts.
A live auction held Sunday evening (Sep. 1) in the pit area for Tony Pedregon’s Funny Car team netted $26,000 for the cause. Bidders won items from team apparel and autographed helmets to car parts and more. Unique items included a custom-built Harley-Davidson powered motorcycle and a once-in-a-lifetime NASCAR Cup racing package. All of the auction items were generously donated by APCF supporters.
One hundred percent of the auction’s proceeds will go to the IU Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis for colon and prostate cancer research. APCF has been raising awareness and funds for the cause all year, with more than $20,000 raised earlier through sales of the 2012 NHRA Yearbook. The foundation will present the donation to the Cancer Center at the end of year.
“We are so fortunate to have such generous supporters. I can’t thank our donors, volunteers, and of course our bidders enough! This is a great boost for our colon and prostate cancer research fundraising,” founder Andrea Pedregon said.
Pedregon founded the non-profit organization in 2010 to channel her passion for helping others who are affected by unfortunate circumstances. The foundation has raised funds for The Smile Train to provide 85-plus surgeries for children with cleft lip and palate; and supported Locks of Love, raising more than $20,000 to make wigs for children suffering from medical and long term hair loss and hosting a trackside venue urging fans to spontaneously cut their hair for the cause.
With the support of the racing community, APCF raised more than $40,000 for Melanoma research with the “Real Housewives of NHRA” themed 2011 calendar and the proceeds of the “Real Families of NHRA” 2012 calendar were donated to IU Radiation & Oncology for children suffering from cancer.
This story was originally published on September 4, 2013. 
