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- Posted Wednesday January 7, 2015
Barrett-Jackson Auction revs up for TGen cancer research
Craig Jackson leadership, classic car donations, helps TGen provide patients with personalized medical care
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Jan. 7, 2015 - The 44th annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction will feature a familiar classic auto, one that has been auctioned and gifted back to Barrett-Jackson - twice - in the past year, already raising $470,000 for cancer research at Phoenix's non-profit Translational Genomics Researh Institute (TGen).
A 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst Coupe, once owned by Linda Vaughn - known in racing circles as "Miss Hurst Golden Shifter" - will be on the block again at WestWorld in Scottsdale during Barrett-Jackson's 2015 auction, Jan. 10-18. Specifically, the TGen Cutlass will cross the auction block at about 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15.
This classic Cutlass was sold for $270,000 at the 43rd annual auction in Scottsdale, then was gifted back to the auction and sold again for $200,000 at Barrett-Jackson's April event in Palm Beach, Fla. Once again the car was gifted back to TGen's Barrett-Jackson Cancer Research Fund at TGen, in Memory of Russ and Brian Jackson for auction. The fund, established in 2010, is a salute to auction Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson's father, Russ, and brother, Brian, whose lives were cut short by colon cancer.
"Barrett-Jackson has a strong legacy of raising money for local and national charities," said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. "The vehicles that cross the block to benefit charities continue Barrett-Jackson's long tradition of making a difference. We are proud to do what we can to help those in need."
Total charitable giving for all causes by Barrett-Jackson over the years has topped $67 million.
Craig Jackson has acted as a national spokesperson for TGen, spreading the word about how the institute's research may lead to improved quality of life for cancer patients.
The Linda Vaughn Cutlass is one of many classic automobiles that Barrett-Jackson has auction to raise much-needed cancer research funding for TGen:
• In 2014 in Scottsdale, a 2013 Ford Mustang 2 Door Coupe raised $110,000 for TGen.
• In 2013 in Scottsdale, a 2008 Shelby GT Barrett-Jackson Edition - a rare Shelby GT upgraded by TMS Autosports - raised $100,000 for TGen.
• In 2012 in Scottsdale, a 1993 Chevrolet Corvette 40th Anniversary coupe raised $125,000. The ruby red 1993 Corvette was one of the 40th anniversary models of this legendary sports car. The first Corvette was built in 1953. This car previously raised more than $200,000 for TGen in 2011 when it was sold and donated back several times during the Scottsdale event.
"Craig Jackson and his team at Barrett-Jackson have provided the leadership necessary to bring TGen's personalized medicine to the families that need it the most,"said TGen Foundation President Michael Bassoff. "We are grateful that Craig has chosen to honor his father, Russ, and brother, Brian, in this special way."
Nearly 137,000 Americans will be diagnosed this year with colon and rectal cancer, and more than 50,000 patients will succumb to this disease, the third-leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S.
An additional 233,000 American men this year will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, which this year will kill more than 29,000 patients, the second-leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S.
For more information, please visit barrett-jackson.com and tgen.org.
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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 cancer, neurological disorders 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.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
