CONCORD, N.C. - On behalf of the Kasey Kahne Foundation and the Why Not You Foundation, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson presented a check yesterday afternoon for $400,000 to Seattle Children’s Hospital and its Strong Against Cancer initiative through the $470,068 in fundraising proceeds from The DRIVE charity event co-hosted by Wilson and Kasey Kahne this summer. The second edition of the charity concert, auction and golf event was held last June at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, Washington. The donation to Seattle Children’s Hospital will aid research that supports immunotherapy – a medical treatment that harnesses the power of a child’s immune cells to fight cancer.
“I always enjoy coming home to Washington, especially for The DRIVE,” said Kahne. “It is a great opportunity for me to stay connected to the community and to partner with Russell (Wilson) on such a special event and help the amazing team at Seattle Children’s Hospital cure childhood cancers.”
Kahne and Wilson started the fundraising event in 2014 to give back to the Seattle community, which included a $150,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. The $470,068 total amount raised in 2015 more than doubles the inaugural event. The remaining balance of the amount raised will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, the Kasey Kahne Foundation and the Why Not You Foundation.
“We are so grateful to Russell Wilson and Kasey Kahne for the time they have spent raising money to support Strong Against Cancer,” Doug Picha, president of the Seattle Children’s Hospital & Research Foundation said. “Their generous support will help our scientists continue the groundbreaking research they are doing with immunotherapy, which is showing great promise in putting an end to childhood cancer once and for all.”
The third-annual DRIVE event is scheduled to return next year to Suncadia Resort on June 27-28, 2016.