ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 16, 2017 – AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN), America’s largest automotive retailer, along with the Orlando Sports Foundation, presented a check for $3.3 million dollars, representing AutoNation Cure Bowl’s three-year cumulative contribution to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). In 2016, AutoNation was named one of America’s top 100 Corporate Citizens by Forbes Magazine and Just Capital due to its commitments to community well-being and its fight against cancer.
The check was presented by Cheryl Miller, AutoNation’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Alice Jackson BCRF Advisory Board Member, along with Mack Mclaughlin and Alan Gooch, representatives of the Orlando Sports Foundation, to Myra Biblowit, President of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), Co-chairman of the BCRF Board of Directors, Kinga Lampert, and BCRF Board Member, Cindy Citrone at the 2017 AutoNation Cure Bowl at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
At half time, 15 brave cancer survivors led by AutoNation associate Karen Gelfer carried the 20 foot AutoNation DRIVE PINK Quilt, on to the field. The quilt was created by more than 200 AutoNation associates and each square on the quilt was designed by hand to honor a loved one touched by cancer.
Now in its third year, the AutoNation Cure Bowl benefits BCRF, the largest private funder of breast cancer research worldwide. BCRF is also the highest rated breast cancer organization in the U.S. with an A+ rating from Charity Watch and the top four-star rating from Charity Navigator.
Autonation has committed its charitable resources towards cancer research, early detection and prevention. In October, the Company’s 27,000 associates participated in the first “DRIVE PINK Across America Day”, in commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Associates in all 18 markets from coast to coast assembled and delivered gift bags filled with items designed specially to bring comfort to kids and adults undergoing cancer treatment, all part of the larger “DRIVE PINK” initiative that has raised more than $12 Million to fund cancer-related nonprofits and research into finding a cure.