CONCORD, N.C. – Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Jimmie Johnson did his part to help raise awareness for a very important cause: Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Alongside volunteers from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, Susan G. Komen and Charlotte Motor Speedway, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion helped paint the traditionally yellow pit wall pink to honor those who have and currently are fighting the disease.
“It’s honestly a day that I look forward to and I really enjoy coming out and meeting the survivors and hearing their stories,” Johnson said. “I’m just grateful to be here and grateful to pick up the positive energy that always is created through this great cause and help spread the word.”
At the track Wednesday, he helped compile 2,500 care packages that will be delivered to people battling breast cancer. Inside were a handful of products including tissues, hand sanitizer, lotion, lip palm, mints and stickers.
“Blue Cross NC is proud to work with such supportive partners as Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports and Charlotte Motor Speedway in the fight against breast cancer,” said Reagan Greene Pruitt, Blue Cross NC’s director of brand strategy and integrated marketing. “With one in eight women likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, there is a continuing need to raise awareness of how to prevent, diagnose and treat this disease. And in raising that awareness, we pay tribute to those women who have survived their battle against breast cancer and to inspire those women who continue to wage a brave battle.”
To continue to raise awareness for the cause, Johnson and the No. 48 team will don pink gloves for the Bank of America 500 race weekend.
“The pink gloves are a tribute to all who have fought and are still fighting this terrible disease,” Johnson said. “At the same time, we want the pink gloves to remind all of us to be vigilant in preventing and detecting breast cancer.”
The Bank of America 500 takes place on Sunday, Oct. 8 at Charlotte.
And when Johnson sees the pink wall heading to pit road, he’ll be glad to know it’s helping to raise awareness for an important cause.
“It’s a very visible way to show our support,” Johnson said, “for women and families affected by breast cancer.”