Ford Motor Company Fund Continues Longtime Support to Cancer Care

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute will upgrade its nurse paging system, thanks to the generosity of Ford Motor Company Fund, according to Nick Karmanos, vice president of development for the Institute.

"As Lead Sponsor for our 26th Annual Dinner May 17, Ford Motor Company Fund will help our nurses provide the best possible care and treatment to cancer patients," said Karmanos. "Ford's sponsorship, as well as its ongoing commitment to cancer prevention, detection, treatment and research, is a tremendous force in our fight against cancer."

Ford Motor Company Fund has been a major supporter of the Karmanos Cancer Institute's Annual Dinner since its inception in 1982. The Annual Dinner, which raised $930,400 last year, remains a significant source of funding for patient care, treatment and cancer research at Karmanos.

"We are pleased to continue Ford's legacy of partnering with the Karmanos Cancer Institute in helping to provide needed care for cancer patients and their families," said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. "It's through partnerships like this that we're able to help make our communities better places to work and live."

This year's Annual Dinner is chaired by Pam and David V. Johnson, Victor International Corporation. Held at Stonewood Farms in Clarkston, the event begins at 6 p.m. with a reception, silent auction and raffle, presented by Tiffany & Co. Dinner and evening entertainment by Marvelless Mark follows.

In addition to Ford Motor Company Fund, Compuware Corporation is the Club Sponsor and is joined by other Key Sponsors: General Motors, GMAC Financial Services, HOUR Detroit & Dbusiness Magazine, Kenwal Steel, Kojaian Ventures, Taubman Centers and Victor International Corporation.

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services supports initiatives and institutions that enhance and improve opportunities for those who live in the communities where Ford Motor Company operates. Ford Motor Company Fund remains committed to playing an active role in the community and working with its associates. It continues to focus on education -- the number-one priority -- creating and implementing innovative new programs that cultivate the skills needed to create tomorrow's innovations. It continues Ford Motor Company's legacy of inclusion and key corporate values, which serve as a common thread that connects each program the fund supports.

Based in midtown Detroit, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is committed to a future free of cancer. It is one of 39 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Caring for more than 6,000 new patients annually on a budget of $216 million, conducting more than 700 cancer-specific scientific investigation programs and clinical trials, the Karmanos Cancer Institute is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 faculty members, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, the Institute strives to prevent, detect and eradicate all forms of cancer. John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D. is the Institute's president and CEO.

Source: Ford