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03/28/2014 |
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NEW ENGLAND
NATIVE AND TEEN CANCER SURVIVOR FEATURED ON #15 NASCAR
WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR RACE CAR FOR SEASON-OPENER
15-40 Connection Teams
Up With Rob Fuller Motorsports To Honor Dave McGrath At
Thompson Speedway |
 While
he may not get to drive the race car, cancer
survivor Dave McGrath’s role on the #15 Rob Fuller
Motorsports team at the Thompson Icebreaker race on
April 6 will be no less important.
Each year 77,000 teens and young adults between the
ages of 15 - 40 are diagnosed with cancer.* Yet,
since 1975, improvements in cancer survival rates
have not kept pace with other age groups. Delayed
diagnosis is an import culprit of this problem.
Rob Fuller Motorsports and 15-40 Connection have
teamed up to feature young cancer survivors during
the 2014 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season in an
effort to raise awareness of cancer symptoms and the
obstacles teens and young adults face to diagnose
cancer at earlier stages. McGrath will attend the
Thompson Icebreaker race as a honorary crew member
for RFM and his picture will be featured on the race
car.
McGrath, who is now 39, was diagnosed with brain
cancer at age 18, but prior to that he experienced a
delayed diagnosis which was a learning experience
that likely saved his life.
“I learned my lesson; I dealt with symptoms of
Crohn’s Disease for months before I finally went to
the doctor because the pain was unbearable,” said
McGrath. “At age 14, Crohn’s Disease was found in my
intestines and one and a half feet of them were
removed. After that, things were going fine for me,
up until my 18th birthday when I started having
double vision and headaches. Unlike with my Crohn’s
Disease symptoms, I decided to see a doctor right
away.”
That’s when McGrath learned that he had a brain
tumor that lead to a diagnosis of cancer. He
underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and following
treatment was cancer-free. (Read McGrath's full
story here: http://bit.ly/1540DM)
Massachusetts-based non-profit 15-40 Connection is a
second-year partner with Rob Fuller Motorsports and
is committed to raising awareness of the fact that
cancer survival rates in teens and young adults ages
15 to 40 have barely improved since 1975 in large
part because of delays in diagnosis. It is
empowering individuals with knowledge that wills
save and improve lives through early cancer
detection.
“Dave has been a volunteer speaker for 15-40
Connection since 2011 and annually speaks to
hundreds of high school and college students sharing
the lessons he learned through his diagnosis,” said
Tricia Laursen, Executive Director at 15-40
Connection. “The partnership with Rob Fuller has
allowed our volunteers to reach new audiences that
will hopefully save lives.”
A special decal featuring McGrath’s image will be on
the rear decklid and side panels of the #15
Chevrolet piloted by team driver/owner Rob Fuller.
The race team featured leukemia survivor Josh Bell
on the car at the non-points event in Daytona in
February and plans to honor four more survivors this
race season.
“The support received when we honored Josh Bell on
the car in Daytona showed us that this is
important,” said Rob Fuller. “I lost an uncle to
cancer when he was just 39 years old and I want to
make sure we do our part to support 15-40 Connection
and all that they do.”
In addition to his volunteer work with 15-40
connection, McGrath works at the American Cancer
Society’s Hope Lodge in Worcester where cancer
patients have free lodging and support while
undergoing treatment. He created Skating for Hope, a
24-hour ice skating event that’s entering its fourth
year and raised thousands to help cancer patients
who are in the middle of treatment.
Race fans are urged to read and share Dave’s story
which will be featured on 15-40 Connection’s
Facebook and Twitter pages during the Thompson
Speedway race weekend. Please visit:
www.Facebook.com/1540connection and
www.Twitter.com/1540connection. |
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Source: Nealie Stufflet /
Rob Fuller Motorsports
Posted:
March 28, 2014 |
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