May 3, 2007
Matthews, NC
Josh Butler
Joins Forces with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Allison Legacy Touring Series driver
Josh Butler and the Western North Carolina Chapter of The
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are pleased to announce that
they have joined forces in an effort to bring further awareness
to the fight against blood cancers. “Every five minutes
someone new is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma”
said Josh Butler “and every ten minutes someone dies
from one of those cancers. I don’t know how to even begin
to help with that, but I hope that I can help by talking to
people and bringing awareness to it.” Josh and his entire
family met several weeks ago with Jane Weaver, Executive Director
of the Western North Carolina LLS Chapter to see how everyone
could get involved. It was an eye opening experience for the
young race driver, one that helped him realize just how lucky
he is. “I heard Mrs. Weaver say that Leukemia causes
more deaths than any other cancer among children and young
people under the age of 20…I had no idea” said Josh.
“Almost everyone I race with fits into that age group
and we all have brothers and sisters that fit that category.
I can’t even imagine getting the news that I have leukemia,
or finding out that one of my sisters has the disease…but
after meeting with Mrs. Weaver I saw how much work the society
is doing for the people diagnosed, and for their families,
it really is a great organization.”
Josh and his Crew Chief Blake Harris
have decided to donate 10% of everything they win this year
to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and they hope that
they can find others at the different race tracks that will
do the same. “If I can get five or ten people at each
track we visit to donate to the society maybe we will have
a decent amount to donate by the end of the year” said
Josh. “The society funded over $51 million in blood cancer
research in 2005, so some may think that our donation is just
a little drop in the bucket…but I would challenge everyone
else to do the same and we can make a difference.” Along
with the donations, Josh will be running a special Leukemia
& Lymphoma Society paint scheme on his #11 Monte Carlo
at several racing events through the 2007 season. “We
hope to get to events where we can have survivors and the
families of those who lost the fight against blood cancers
sign my car and we will run some events in their memory”
said the Matthews, NC teen. “It will be so nice to meet
those people and to know that I am racing some of these races
for them.”
The Western North Carolina Leukemia
& Lymphoma Society is located in Charlotte North Carolina
and Director Jane Weaver is excited to work with Josh. "As
the fastest growing health organization in the country, The
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is dedicated to finding a
cure for blood cancers by funding our cutting edge research
programs. To know that a young person, like Josh Butler is
also dedicated to this mission is quite touching and a wonderful
testament to our young people. We are honored to have him
on our team and look forward to much success together in the
future” said Mrs. Weaver.
For more information, or to donate
to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society click on the logo on
the Butler Motorsports website home page (www.butlermotorsports.com)
or visit: www.leukemia-lymphoma.org
