The Laughlin Family Foundation has another great day at NASCAR with driver Ryan Ellis
L to R: Ryan Ellis (NASCAR driver), Craig Laughlin (Former NHL player + TLFF co-founder), Linda Laughlin (TLFF co-founder), Tom Keen (Corvetteparts.net), Courtney Laughlin (TLFF co-founder)
The Laughlin Family Foundation (TLFF) partners with NASCAR driver Ryan Ellis and his race team to raise awareness and funding for rare cancers for the 2nd year in a row.
The Laughlin family headed to Bristol, TN on Friday September 16th, just 4 days after its 2nd Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament, to cheer on NASCAR driver Ryan Ellis (and marshmellow longest drive champion) as he competed in his final race of the 2022 season at the Xfinity Series Food City 300 race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ellis’ racecar, The Corvetteparts.net No. 44 Chevy looked extra special at the race, as it rocked a pink and lavender scheme - the lavender representing all of those affected by cancer. The car also featured the foundation’s logo on the hood and side of a car - all to help raise awareness for rare cancers.
“We were so excited to partner with Ryan, Team Alpha Prime, and Tom Keen of Corvetteparts.net for a second year in a row to help raise awareness and funding for rare cancers. We’re so fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know and work with Ryan and his team over the last few years. They are tremendous supporters and friends, and continue to find ways to support our cause… Plus it’s always a really cool thing to see our logo on a NASCAR!” said Craig Laughlin. “This is an initiative that our foundation and family looks forward to every year, and one that we can hopefully continue to build on.” said Laughlin.
Thanks to the generosity of Tom Keen of Corvetteparts.net, the foundation was able to raise money through donations, special auction items, and sponsorship spots on the car - which helped to contribute to the $170,000 raised during the 2nd Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament. The unique partnership between The Laughlin Family Foundation and Ryan and his team gave companies and individuals a rare and special opportunity to have their logo or name on Ryan’s car and pit crew shirts. Over 50 names were also printed on the trunk for those who donated during the 300 Laps Against Cancer Campaign.
Ryan Elllis’ post race Covetteparts.net Chevy 44
This year, TLFF welcomed two new corporate sponsors, presenting sponsor FulcrumGT and marquee sponsor Research Financial Services, who both played an impactful role in the fundraising success at the 2nd annual golf tournament and the NASCAR initiative. A special thank you to Ahmed Shaaban (FulcrumGT CEO), and John Reutemann (Research Financial Services CEO) who joined in on the fight against rare cancers.
“I feel really fortunate that myself and the entire Keen Parts/CorvetteParts.net family, Alpha Prime Racing, and all of the partners and donators who supported us helped us raise a large amount of money for the Laughlin Family Foundation. It was a great time being part of the golf tournament and trying to keep up with everyone out there and then obviously, the race weekend was a blast as well. Bristol is one of the coolest and most unique racetracks we go to so I’m so glad we were able to make this happen as one cohesive event to raise money for the fight against rare cancers,” said Marshmellow World Champion Ryan Ellis, who finished his final race in p19.
Photos from the event below.
TLFF is a 501(c)3 founded in 2018 by Craig Laughlin, former NHL player and current Washington Capitals color analyst on NBC Sports Washington, and his wife Linda, who was diagnosed with a rare endometrial cancer. Since it’s inception, TLFF has raised nearly $500,000 to help those affected by rare cancers. TLFF has funded several projects to advance education, care, and awareness for rare cancers, including most recently The Inaugural Endometrial Cancer Symposium at Johns Hopkins. Endometrial cancers are currently one of the only cancers on the rise in the world, and is considered a public health crisis. This symposium brought together many of the best health experts and doctors in the world to educate the community, doctors, nurses, and patient advocates on the best practices and treatment options for endometrial cancers. Additionally, TLFF has supported the local greater Annapolis, MD community by sponsoring cancer stricken patients and families through holiday gift and food drives.
