The Racing Against Cancer™ Story

It is often said that one person cannot make a difference. Jon Blanchette HAS made a difference. Today, he is just one man among a dedicated and hardworking group, but it was this man’s dedication to his wife’s wishes that started the ball rolling. Jon Blanchette founded the Racing Against Cancer™ Team in 1996 after cancer claimed the life of his wife Jodi in 1994. The original purpose of the team was to generate awareness and funding for the American Cancer Society.

"It was her dream to make something good come from all she went through", said Blanchette at the Eleventh Annual Racing Against Cancer™ Team Luncheon held in the Acapulco Room at Foxwoods Resort Casino on November 9th, 2007. Blanchette exclaimed, “I never dreamed this program could get this big, but I hope to be here for 20 more years.” It was the original agreement between Blanchette and Foxwoods that spawned the birth of the Racing Against Cancer™ Program. And it is the commitment of Scott Gregory, RAC’s Director of Operations, Foxwoods Resort Casino and the hundreds of drivers, owners, teams and race fans that continue to fuel the success year after year.

Through the efforts of many generous and talented racing teams and organizations, the Racing Against Cancer™ program raised in excess of $52,000 in 2007. A total of $581,164 has been generated to fight cancer since the program’s inception. “To raise $52,000 last year is a testament to this cause. None of it would have been possible without the help of all the volunteers” said Blanchette.

In an emotional speech, David Cyr, the founder of David’s House, said “On January 20th, 2006, David’s House turned 20 years old. That sure didn’t happen by accident. It happened because of all the wonderful people like you.” For further information regarding David’s House please visit: http://www.davids-house.org/ . To date Racing Against Cancer™ has donated nearly $92,000 to David’s House.

Although Racing Against Cancer™ Director of Income Development Steve Fales noted the amount of racing talent in the room; it was the actions of those drivers off the track that brought them to the luncheon. Every racing discipline was represented from go-karts to midgets and from Busch East, Whelen Modified tour to Nationwide Series teams. The support on the part of the racing community continues to grow year after year. And with those words, the management and team members of Racing Against Cancer™ set out to begin reaching their 2008 goals. “We’re going to grow, we’re going to expand, we’re going to the people, and we’re going to raise money,” concluded Fales.

Anyone interested in getting involved in helping Racing Against Cancer™ reach it goals please contact us directly via email at racingagainstcancer@yahoo.com