Final charities chosen for Helmet of Hope

CONCORD, N.C. – Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta (Atlanta, Ga.) and Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Libertyville, Ill.) are the final charities chosen to be featured on the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Helmet of Hope, the race helmet Johnson will wear during the Sprint Cup Series event at Auto Club Speedway in October. Performance Racing Network’s Steve Richards nominated Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta in honor of Marcy Scott, a long-time member of the NASCAR community and current director of public relations at Atlanta Motor Speedway, who is battling breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affiliate is the local resource for women who need breast cancer screening, treatment, education and support. Through annual events, including the Race for the Cure, and individual contributions, Komen Atlanta raises funds that enable women to detect and survive breast cancer. “I nominated this cause to help raise money and awareness for Susan G. Komen for the Cure in honor of our friend Marcy Scott’s battle with stage 3 breast cancer and the rising medical bills associated with treating the illness,” said Richards. “Millions of people face this fight and I’m happy to be able to bring some support to such an important organization.” Terri Lewis of Morehead, Ky. selected Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which is dedicated to creating a treatment and cure for SMA by funding and advancing a comprehensive research program; supporting SMA families through networking, information and services; improving care for all SMA patients; educating health professionals and the public about SMA; enlisting government support for SMA; and embracing all touched by SMA in a caring community. “My daughter Adora was diagnosed at 4 months old,” said Lewis. “She was placed on ventilator (life support) to keep her breathing at 7 months old. The cognitive ability of these kids is not damaged, they are so very smart, only the muscles that help them move and breath are affected. My daughter is now 8, still on the ventilator, unable to move but can communicate using eye gaze. She is very bright and interactive with others. She would love to have a chance at treatment or cure!” Lowe’s Toolbox for Education also is featured on the helmet. The foundation is partnering with the Lowe’s program to raise funds for education initiatives in Johnson’s hometown of El Cajon, Calif. The funds will be raised through the 3rd-Annual Jimmie Johnson Foundation Golf Tournament to be held on Oct. 7 in San Diego. These two charities will join the other 10 already selected -- Victory Junction (Randleman, N.C.), Zepp Children’s Foundation (Westminster, Md.), National Multiple Sclerosis Society Mid Atlantic Chapter (Charlotte, N.C.), KidsPeace (Raleigh, N.C.), Special Operations Warrior Foundation (Tampa, Fla.), The Taylor Brooks Foundation (Lawrenceville, Ga.), Loaves & Fishes (Charlotte, N.C.), CureSearch (Bethesda, Md.), Hendrick Marrow Program (Charlotte, N.C.), St. Baldrick’s Foundation (Pasadena, Calif.), Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta (Atlanta, Ga.) and Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Libertyville, Ill.) Each winning charity will receive a $1,048 donation in addition to proceeds from the sale of a Helmet of Hope t-shirt. Fans may order a t-shirt by visiting, www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org.