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- Posted Wednesday April 20, 2016
Clarion's modernized classic 1974 BMW raises $125,000 for TGen cancer research
First 'Clarion Builds' restoration vehicle auctioned by Barrett-Jackson to support early diagnosis and treatment
CYPRESS, Calif. - April 20, 2016 - Clarion Corporation of
America announced today that the sale of its first Clarion Builds vehicle
restoration, an iconic 1974 BMW model 2002, raised $125,000 for
cancer research at the Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
The fjord-blue Beemer sold April 9 at the Barrett-Jackson auction
in Palm Beach, Fla., with all proceeds donated to the
Barrett-Jackson Cancer Research Fund at TGen, in Memory of Russ
and Brian Jackson. The fund, established in 2010, is a salute
to auction Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson's father, Russ - one of
the founders of Barrett-Jackson - and brother, Brian, whose lives
were cut short by colon cancer.
"We are beyond pleased with the generous donation earned from
Barrett-Jackson's charity auction sale of Clarion's fully restored
1974 BMW 2002," said Michael Bassoff, President of TGen Foundation.
"All $125,000 received from the sale of the car will go toward
advancing our research in applying translational genomics to the
early detection and treatment of cancer. We are grateful to Clarion
and their Clarion Builds partners for recreating such an iconic
piece of automotive history and donating it to benefit the patients
we serve."
Clarion's next Clarion Builds project car, a beautifully restored
and tastefully modified first-year Acura NSX will be on display at
Clarion's booth during Barrett-Jackson's January 2017 auction in
Scottsdale, Ariz., and is scheduled to cross the block at a
subsequent Barrett-Jackson auction later next year.
"Barrett-Jackson began as a charity fundraiser and giving back to
the community has long been a pillar of our company," said Craig
Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. "We've helped raise
more than $89 million for deserving charities over the years and we
couldn't do it without the help of partners like Clarion. TGen has
had a longstanding relationship with Barrett-Jackson and is a cause
very close to my heart. I'm proud that the sale of the 1974 BMW
2002 went to benefit the Barrett-Jackson Cancer Research Fund
at TGen and I'm excited to further our relationship as the
official auction partner for the Clarion Builds program."
"From the beginning, we were determined to develop the Clarion
Builds program into an industry benchmark. It is especially
rewarding to look back at our achievements of the past two years as
we have irrevocably delivered upon all our goals," stated Allen H.
Gharapetian, vice president of marketing and product development
for Clarion Corporation of America and chief of the Clarion Builds
program.
"From bringing a true automotive legend back to life and pulling
millions of fans and followers together across the globe who
celebrated this amazing project, to raising a significant sum of
money for a worthy cause, Clarion Builds has set a new standard.
None of this would have mattered without the support from
Barrett-Jackson, who shares our passion of philanthropy, and the
avant-garde life saving research being conducted at TGen. Both
Barrett-Jackson and TGen were indisputably instrumental in
delivering a grand finale worthy of our iconic BMW 2002,"
Gharapetian said.
To learn more about the Clarion Builds program, or to follow the
build of iconic classic cars, visit Clarion Builds at www.clarionbuilds.com or watch
the latest Clarion Builds videos at www.youtube.com/clarionUS.
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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 onFacebook,LinkedInandTwitter @TGen.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
About Clarion Builds
Clarion Builds takes a different approach to restoring iconic
classic car by partnering with experts for each respective vehicle
to conduct a true concours-quality full restoration of the vehicle.
Hand selected strategic high-profile industry partners help Clarion
upgrade and restore vehicles with tasteful modifications that
improve their driving dynamic, while maintaining each vehicle's
era-correct aesthetics and classic personality. Vehicles rebuilt by
Clarion's Clarion Builds program, as a result, are beautiful
examples of iconic classics that are in better than new condition
with upgrades that allow for a more spirited driving dynamic and
offer modern electronic conveniences. Each project is fully
documented digitally and shared with fans and enthusiasts through
social media, blog posts, and other marketing vehicles. For more,
please visit: www.clarionbuilds.com. For
more about Clarion, please visit: http://www.clarion.com/us/en/top.html.
Media Contact:
Michael Farino
949-346-1984
[email protected]