Racing for Cancer partners with Nova Southeastern University in memory of Ryan Hunter-Reay’s mother
June 14 2021 – IndyCar driver, Indy 500 Champion and Fort Lauderdale native Ryan Hunter-Reay and his wife Beccy, through their charity Racing for Cancer, have established the Hunter-Reay Family Endowed Nursing Scholarship Fund with Nova Southeastern University (NSU). The fund will support scholarships for students at NSU’s Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing who have an interest in serving oncology patients.
“This scholarship gift will help attract the best and brightest students who are interested in oncology nursing,” said Shari Meehan, NSU Director of Development. “Racing for Cancer, Ryan and Beccy’s charity, together with partner AutoNation, share our vision and core values to train competent and confident nurse leaders who will transform the delivery of nursing care in our communities and beyond. We are very grateful for their steadfast partnership and support over the years. Everyone here extends sincere thanks for their generosity and support.”
The Hunter-Reays know the value nurses play in the detection and prevention of cancer. Ryan Hunter-Reay’s late mother, Lydia, was a nurse who battled cancer. They saw first-hand the impact Lydia had on her patients and were also moved by the impact and caring of the oncology nurses who cared for her through her cancer journey and passing. The Hunter-Reay family felt it was important to ensure a legacy for Lydia that invests in others committed to care and the cure.
“Nearly 28 million people world-wide are battling some form of cancer. Our goal with Racing for Cancer is to help make the world cancer free. We believe that investing in nursing students committed to our cause ensures that our efforts will continue for years to come,” said Hunter-Reay. “My mother would be so proud to know that her legacy lives on in nurses who serve the cancer community throughout the world.”
This scholarship endowment is just one of many efforts in the United States and Canada that Racing for Cancer has supported in the fight against cancer. None of which could be possible without AutoNation, DHL, and many other donors who continue to believe in their mission.
About Racing for Cancer
Racing for Cancer is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2010 by Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2012 IndyCar champion and 2014 Indy500 champion, following his mother’s passing from colon cancer in 2009. Racing for Cancer unites motorsports fans, teams, drivers, and sponsors to join in the global fight to beat cancer. The goal: “Beat Cancer”. Racing for Cancer, together with its sponsors, have donated more than $4.7 million since 2010. Racing for Cancer continues its mission to focus on early detection and prevention initiatives and various childhood cancer initiatives, funded by annual fundraising events held across North America.
•In 2014, Racing for Cancer with the matching funds supported by AutoNation donated $2.5 million to the Cleveland Clinic Florida Maroone Cancer Center.
•In 2015/16, Racing for Cancer again partnered with AutoNation to gift $1 million to fund the new state-of-the- art AutoNation/Hunter-Reay Research Lab at Nova Southeastern University (https://www.nova.edu/research/cancer/the-autonationhunter-reay-research-lab.html).
•In 2019, Racing for Cancer established two new scholarships: the Hunter-Reay Family #Beatcancer Changing Lives Scholarship; and the AutoNation/Racing for Cancer Changing Lives Scholarship, to support NSU undergraduate students in the entry B.S. in Nursing program interested in oncology nursing.
These generous donations, combined with numerous additional donations made to various charities (https://www.racingforcancer.org/what-we-do/), were made possible by our partner AutoNation, Inc., and significant sponsors DHL and Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group, along with numerous other donors nationwide. To learn more or to donate, please visit www.racingforcancer.org or visit us on social media:
Facebook: @RacingForCancer
Instagram: @RacingForCancer_
Twitter: @RacingForCancer
