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- Posted Wednesday October 28, 2015
15-year-old daughter races to honor mother's battle with cancer
Ahnna Parkhurst promotes scientific research through Laurie's Fund, Accelerating the Cure for Cancer at TGen
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Oct. 28, 2015 - Ahnna
Parkhurst is a precocious and highly motivated teenager. At an age
when most teens can't get a driver's license, Ahnna - a
just-turned-15-year-old from Evans, Ga. - is putting pedal to the
metal in a 400-horsepower V8 racecar that reaches speeds more than
100 mph on the red clay tracks of the southeast U.S.
She's racing for more than the checkered flag. Emblazed in pink on
the sides of Ahnna's helmet, jacket collar and racecar are logos
for LauriesFund.org, a fund established at the Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in honor of her mom, Laurie
Parkhurst, who for more than a decade has waged a valiant battle
against breast, lung and brain cancer.
"You're never too young to make a difference. Every time I touch
the gas pedal, I know I'm not just accelerating the car, but I'm
also accelerating the cure for cancer through TGen," beamed
Ahnna.
As she shoots her late-model car down the raceway, you can tell
it's Ahnna at the wheel by her car's front logo for TGen, a
Phoenix-based non-profit where some of the nation's top scientists
are giving hope and answers to cancer patients like her mom,
Laurie.
Laurie's Fund, Accelerating the Cure for Cancer at TGen, has
raised more than $111,000 thanks to the generous support from
family, friends, business associates rallied by Laurie's husband
Michael Parkhurst, Vice President for Golf at Textron Specialized
Vehicles.
"We are supportive of the efforts at TGen, which we hope will find
answers for the millions of patients battling cancer," said
Michael, who recently organized a fund-raising effort around
Laurie's birthday.
Laurie's Fund will help speed TGen's discoveries of new treatments
and methods of early detection for breast cancer and other
cancers.
"With every race, my daughter Ahnna is raising awareness and
research dollars for the physicians and scientists at TGen," said
Laurie, who has endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy, surgery
and radiation treatments to keep her cancers in check. "I am so
proud of her and her sister, Sophia (13), Ahnna's racing manager,
along with my dedicated husband, Mike. Our family is totally
committed."
Ahnna's love of racing led to an impressive run of successes that
earned her a spot on the Richard Childress Racing and Team Dillon
Racing 2015 national development program.
"Ahnna has an incredible natural talent and is becoming a better
driver every time she hits the track. But her success in helping
cancer patients through Laurie's Fund at TGen is what really makes
her a winner," said Childress.
Over the years, Laurie has undergone more than 20 types of
chemotherapies, numerous surgeries, five Gamma Knife procedures,
and full- and half-brain radiation treatments. But she has always
maintained a positive outlook.
"My resolve has always been to 'Be The Miracle!' I have decided to
claim that victory," Laurie said. "As long as I am able, I will
fight this disease in hopes to win the war, not just the battles,
set before me."
TGen Foundation President Michael Bassoff said, "All of us at TGen
are honored by the Parkhurst family's commitment to cancer
research. This is truly a remarkable story of how one family
inspired the racing community and brought visibility and awareness
about TGen's efforts to help cancer patients today."
Find out more about Laurie's story and make a donation. Go to: www.tgen.org/home/tgen-foundation/special-funds,
and click on Laurie's Fund.
# # #
About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused
on helping patients with neurological disorders, cancer, and
diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process
of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of
both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical
communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help our patients through efficiency and
effectiveness of the translational process. For more information,
visit:www.tgen.org. Follow TGen on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @TGen.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]