Racing For A Reason: AHF To Bring Pediatric Cancer Families, Fundraisers To Road Atlanta
- Fundraising Auctions Friday and Saturday at 26th running of Motul Petit Le Mans
- Pediatric Cancer Families to Join in IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship
- Foundation Grateful for Ongoing Support from Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
- Michelin to donate funds for every tire sold during the Michelin Challenge and Motul Petit Le Mans
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (October 10, 2023) – The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer (AHF) is set to embark on its annual premium showcase experience as an official “Proud Charity” for the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) during the prestigious Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia this weekend.
The Motul Petit Le Mans, an iconic 10-hour endurance race and one of the top sports car events in North America, serves as the grand finale of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. This year’s event promises to be a weekend of excitement, fundraising and support for families facing pediatric cancer.
On Friday and Saturday, AHF will benefit from multiple fundraising auctions at various fan enthusiast areas in addition to their all-day silent auction at the Craton Promotions/IMSA Merchandise tent, all with action-packed sports car racing as the exciting weekend backdrop.
In addition to auctions, AHF will also host more than 180 pediatric cancer patients, survivors and their family members at the trackside Chalet on the Front Stretch, on Saturday. Families will be able to enjoy the excitement of the race, take photos with race cars and drivers, eat a catered lunch and take part in specialized activities organized by the Foundation – all at no cost to them. This is all part of AHF’s Diversionary Therapy program, which provides interactive, specialized activities for moments of joy and respite for young patients and their families.
AHF’s partnership with IMSA results in a multitude of relationships and opportunities at race tracks throughout the year that raise both funds and awareness for AHF’s long-standing mission to erase the effects of pediatric cancer. The Foundation provides all services to childhood cancer patients and their families at no cost, such as Mental and Behavioral Health Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Educational Support, Grief Groups, Family Programs and more. Since its inception in 2006, AHF has provided services to more than 89,000 individuals across 24 states in 42 children’s hospitals.
“At the Austin Hatcher Foundation, we do not medically treat cancer, we treat the devastation inflicted as a result of this horrible disease,” said Amy Jo Osborn, CEO and co-founder of AHF. “We focus on restoring hope, redefining tomorrow, and creating a new horizon by providing evidence-based solutions for every step of a family’s cancer journey. And we couldn’t do any of this without the support from our loyal partners. The Motul Petit Le Mans weekend is a cherished tradition for our organization, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta has been a supporter of ours from the beginning. We are so grateful for them and our other motorsports partners including Cadillac, Corvette, Porsche, Michelin and motorsports artists Bill Patterson and Roger Warrick.”
Bill Patterson live painting auction
Renowned motorsports artist Bill Patterson, a longtime supporter of the Foundation, will be creating motionsports paintings for auction at various fan enthusiast areas, listed below. A portion of the proceeds from these auctions will directly benefit pediatric cancer families through the Austin Hatcher Foundation. Roger Warrick will also be performing a Live Painting in the BMW Corral Friday morning.
The Foundation will continue its fundraising efforts through a special silent auction tent located in the Craton Promotions tent on Vendor Row. Bidders can participate either on-site or remotely through the following link: https://one.bidpal.net/roadatlanta23.
This year’s auction schedule is as follows:
Friday, October 13
- 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Silent Auction Tent, Craton Promotions Tent, Vendor Row
- 10:00 AM: Start Bill Patterson Painting, Corvette Corral
- 3:00 PM: Live Auction Bill Patterson Painting, Corvette Corral
- 11:00 AM: Live Painting and Auction, Roger Warrick, BMW Corral
Saturday, October 14
- 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Silent Auction Tent, Craton Promotions Tent, Vendor Row
- 10:00 AM: Start Bill Patterson Painting, Porscheplatz
- 11:00 AM: Live Auction Bill Patterson Painting, Porscheplatz
- 4:30 PM: Bill Patterson to Start Painting at Michelin Tower
- 6:00 PM: Bill Patterson Live Auction at Podium Club, Michelin Tower
- 6:00 PM: Start Bill Patterson Painting, Cadillac Corral
- 7:00 PM: Live Auction Bill Patterson Painting, Cadillac Corral
In addition, Michelin Tires is donating $1 for every race tire purchased throughout the weekend. Select teams will also be matching that donation.
For tickets or more information on this weekend’s Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, visit https://roadatlanta.com/motul-petit-le-mans. To learn more about the Austin Hatcher Foundation, visit www.HatcherFoundation.org.
