'Racing for Cancer Research' Celebrates One Year

DELAWARE, Ohio, March 15 -- In 2003, at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Mac Tools Gatornationals, the Coughlin family -- owners of Coughlin Bros. Racing, LLC and Jeg's Mail Order -- announced an ongoing effort to generate money for cancer research and to raise awareness of how to prevent and deal with the dreaded disease that effects so many people.

Jeg Coughlin, Jr. and his wife, Karen, established the JEG'S Foundation with the assistance and commitment of the entire Coughlin family to honor several family members whose fight against cancer has been the source of inspiration and courage for others. The foundation supports innovative research and treatments for patients as well as educational efforts to help the public become more aware of the early signs and symptoms of cancer and how they might make healthier choices to protect themselves from developing the disease.

Jeg Coughlin, Jr. is a two-time NHRA POWERade Pro Stock champion, and along with his father and three older brothers direct the operations of the family's growing second generation business JEG'S Automotive. The family business was founded in 1960 by Jeg Coughlin, Sr., and caters to performance enthusiasts worldwide who share the same passion for improving the performance and looks of their vehicles.

"This is such an important cause for my husband, myself and the entire Coughlin family," says Karen Coughlin. "It's been six years since I was treated for cancer. I was able to experience first hand the impact of innovative treatment and care. Almost everyone has a family member or friend affected by cancer. The important thing to remember is that there are almost 9 million people alive today who have successfully fought the disease -- and we want that number to grow."

The Coughlin's are hoping to increase visibility of their work through the creation of a ribbon that symbolizes the JEG'S Foundation efforts. The perky, multicolored ribbon reflects a racing theme, and is emblazoned on all JEG'S Team cars and uniforms.

This year at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Mac Tools Gatornationals (March 18-21st) the Coughlin brothers will proudly display a special paint scheme to help promote cancer research in a fun and memorable way.

The "Racing For Cancer Research" ribbon will cover the hood, trunk areas and rear window on each of the JEG'S Mail Order sponsored vehicles at the NHRA Mac Tools Gatornationals. In addition, the phrase "Racing For Cancer Research" will boldly be displayed on all four race cars.

Jeg and Troy Coughlin compete in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series in Pro Stock, which is considered to be NHRA's most competitive professional class. The two brothers drive identical looking yellow and black Jeg's Mail Order Chevy Cavaliers that run 6.7 seconds at over 204 mph in the quarter mile.

John and Mike race in the NHRA Lucas Oil Sportsman Drag Racing Series. John drives a Super Stock Chevy Cavalier. Mike handles double duty driving in Super Comp and Super Gas.

"We are really excited to celebrate our one-year anniversary of the foundation at the Mac Tools Gatornationals this year," spokesperson Scott Woodruff. "Having the Racing for Cancer Research ribbons take over our cars this coming weekend is great. I think it's a great way to build awareness and one that will be hard to forget. Using the stage of NHRA POWERade Drag Racing is a powerful way to make what we think will be a lasting impression and hopefully make a difference in people's lives."

There will also be a PSA mobile screening unit on the midway at the Mac Tools Gatornationals. The PSA test is a simple blood test and will be administered free of charge. Dr. Ronald E. Wheeler has partnered with the JEG'S Foundation to provide this simple procedure on-site.

"The NHRA has been extremely supportive of what we are trying to do," said Woodruff. "We are looking at continuing to reach out to people. I think providing a service like this in a fan friendly environment will go a long way. Fans shouldn't be surprised if they bump into some of the biggest names in NHRA Drag Racing having the same simple test done on them. We think it will be that powerful!"

There has never been any question that the Coughlin family is passionate about racing and winning. They also have a strong passion about trying to make a difference in peoples lives. In just a very short time, the JEG'S Foundation's "Racing for Cancer Research" has already begun to make quite an impact.

"Our whole life has been a challenge," explained Jeg Coughlin, Sr. "With business and racing. And the 'racing for cancer' kind of went together, because drag racing is a series of R&D, R&D, R&D, R&D. It's a research and development issue. It needs a lot of money for research and development, but once they find something that does work... it's just like a miracle."

Members of the Coughlin family have made several personal visits to the institutions where they are trying to help make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, researchers and families that are dealing with the dreaded disease.

Jeg Coughlin, Jr.'s 2002 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock championship car has spent time going from event to event. The car has been used to create awareness at the annual OSU Cancer Survivor Day celebration at The Ohio State University Stadium. The car has also spent time in the lobby of The Ireland Cancer Center / Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. Children who are patients at the hospital enjoyed seeing the car up close and personal with the driver there to answer questions and provide an uplifting experience for children who are battling cancer.

World-renowned Chef Wolfgang Puck invited 35 of the world's finest culinary artists to help with the fight against cancer last year. Team JEG'S Chef, Nicky Morse, was given a special invitation from Wolfgang Puck to join this elite group to participate at the Five Star Sensation fund raising event for the Ireland Cancer Center at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio last year. The event helped raise over $1,400,000. The event goal of $1-million dollars was easily surpassed. The bi-annual event held in Beachwood, Ohio and is a celebration of American Food and Wine.

One of the team transporters proved to be a huge hit with the crowd. The inside was decorated with framed pictures, plaques, articles, trophies and a video played on the TV that gave people a taste of NHRA POWERade Drag Racing.

"We've been blessed," said John Coughlin. "We've been fortunate in life with health, with our family, business and racing. To me, and I can speak for all us, it feels good to be able to give back. And that's exactly what we're doing."

Jeg's contributes a portion of all of its race winnings and corporate profits to two of the nation's finest cancer-fighting facilities: the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio and the Ireland Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio. With unfailing commitment and a self-styled "Racing for cancer Research" logo, Jeg's is bringing cancer education and awareness to NHRA POWERade Drag Racing fans everywhere.

"It's amazing," stated Jeg Coughlin, Sr. "You'll be at the racetrack and somebody will come in and say 'this is what happened to my dad, or my mom'. They start tearing up, and I feel the same way, because I know what I went through, and what Karen's (Jeg Jr.'s wife) gone through, and Nicky our chef has had some incidents with cancer. It's pretty serious."

"We are honored to have The JEG'S Foundation be a part of The James Team," says Dr. David Schuller, executive director of The James and deputy director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. "Their support and dedication are a source of inspiration to all of us who are working so hard to reach the goal we all strive for, a cure for cancer."

"We at the Ireland Cancer Center are excited about our partnership with the JEG'S Foundation," said Dr. Jim Wilson, director of The Ireland Cancer Center. "This is a partnership we are excited about and can see the synergies is creating awareness for cancer research in a mainstream way."

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), "the nation's investment in cancer research," supports scientific discovery and its application in clinical practice through NCI-funded research in the U.S. and around the world. By stimulating the generation of new knowledge and tools and encouraging collaborations among researchers in a myriad on NCI-supported initiatives, the NCI works toward its goal "to achieve a future when all cancers are uncommon and easily treated."

The JEG'S Foundation for Cancer Research is honored to be affiliated with two of only 39 nationally designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute at the Ohio State University (www.jamesline.com), and the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals Health System (www.irelandcancercenter.org).

"I think the important thing is that the cancer societies go on," explained the patriarch of the Coughlin family. "They continue with their research and development, and how do they do that without people like us who come to the table with some money and some ideas. It's not just Jeg's. It's millions and millions of people who are interested in what we're interested in. I don't really feel as though that we are going to be the persons who fix the world. But I do believe that between Jeg's and the rest of the people who are interested in the same thing that we're interested in -- we'll fix a lot, A LOT of cancer problems."

"It's still a very scary disease, but the bottom line is the research and development that's happening hourly across this world every day is moving toward what we all look for, a cure," commented Jeg Jr. "Today when I think of cancer I'm even thinking more of hope."