Pair of Fundraisers Successful for JGF

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 28, 2003) – Jeff Gordon and The Jeff Gordon Foundation hosted “An Evening with Jeff Gordon” and the “Third Annual Jeff Gordon Go-Kart Challenge” in Wilmington, N.C., on Oct. 15 and 16. Proceeds from both events benefited The Hendrick Marrow Program in partnership with The Marrow Foundation. During “An Evening with Jeff Gordon,” 160 guests enjoyed dinner with the four-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion at the Figure Eight Yacht Club on Figure Eight Island near Wilmington, N.C. In addition to dinner, the evening included a silent auction and a look at The Foundation through a special video presentation. The highlight of the evening was the first-time meeting of a donor and her young recipient. Katie Miano, a stem-cell donor, spoke to the group about her experiences and her decision to donate stem cells twice. At the conclusion of her speech, Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and founder of The Hendrick Marrow Program, thanked Miano for her willingness to give the gift of life and surprised her by bringing forward the 11-year-old recipient. Miano and her recipient also participated in the “Third Annual Jeff Gordon Go-Kart Challenge” at Jungle Rapids on Thursday, Oct. 16, where friends of The Foundation had the opportunity to race against Gordon. The event included a special “race” in which Gordon drove the recipient around the track in a special two-seater go-kart. Gordon established The Jeff Gordon Foundation in December 1999. The Foundation’s mission is to support the physical, social and intellectual needs of children and their families throughout the United States. The Marrow Foundation, in partnership with The Hendrick Marrow Program, is proud to be one of The Jeff Gordon Foundation’s designated charities, along with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Riley Hospital for Children. Hendrick founded The Hendrick Marrow Program in 1997 to aid patients around the country who are suffering from leukemia or one of the more than 70 other life-threatening blood diseases. He began The Hendrick Marrow Program in partnership with The Marrow Foundation and the National Marrow Donor Program. The focus of The Hendrick Marrow Program is to educate the public about the need for marrow donors, to raise funds for the necessary laboratory costs at recruitment drives across the United States, and to help pay for uninsured transplant related expenses such as food and housing costs for patients undergoing marrow transplants. For more information, please visit www.JeffGordonFoundation.org and www.HendrickMarrow.com.