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Airpark Auto Pros Partners with TechNet and Brakes For Breasts
During the months of September and October, Airpark Auto Pros is raising funds for a breast cancer vaccine in partnership with Brakes for Breasts. As part of the fundraiser, Airpark Auto Pros will donate 10% of the proceeds of qualifying brake pad services, and customers can receive up to a $40 Prepaid Mastercard to cover their brake pad costs, or they can donate the rebate to Brakes for Breasts. One hundred percent (100%) of the funds go directly to Dr. Vincent Tuohy and the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund.
Brakes for Breasts is a community-driven cause that focuses on making an impact. The program was designed for independent repair shops to help promote breast cancer awareness and raise funds for a breast cancer vaccine. Together with Brakes for Breasts, independent shops are projected to exceed $1 million in donations for the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund.
The Brakes For Breasts fundraiser is different from any other breast cancer fundraising campaigns:
- Dr. Tuohy at the Cleveland Clinic has actually created a vaccine that has proved effective in laboratory animals in actually preventing breast cancer.
- Dr. Tuohy and his team are rounding the corner and are hoping to start Phase 1 trials this year.
- 100% of the proceeds from the Brakes for Breasts fundraiser goes directly to the Cleveland Clinic for research on the Breast Cancer Vaccine.
- This fundraiser is made up of independent businesses and business owner that have joined hands for a great cause, like Airpark Auto Pros.
Learn how to get a $40 Prepaid Mastercard with brake pad replacement and support Breast Cancer Vaccine Research.
Dr. Vincent Tuohy had this to say about the fundraiser:
“We are on the verge of testing our breast cancer vaccine in clinical trials, and philanthropy has been the foundation of this progress. Without the extensive and generous support I have received from Brakes for Breasts, I would have had to end my research on immune prevention of breast cancer several years ago. My entire team believes that we are doing transformative work that has the potential to dramatically change the way we control breast cancer. I think it will all be very worthwhile, and I look forward to a great celebration together.”
John Burley, Owner of Airpark Auto Pros added:
“We are grateful for the opportunity to team up with great organizations like TechNet, CarQuest and Brakes for Breasts to contribute to this worthy cause. One of the things I love about this fundraiser is that we know where the funds are going - not absorbed into some huge corporate account, but directly for the specific purpose of developing a vaccine. We consider it a privilege to play a small part.”
About the Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Program
From the Brakes for Breasts website
Dr. Vincent Tuohy
In Spring 2017, Dr. Tuohy’s research program was awarded funding to launch a greatly anticipated clinical trial to begin testing the vaccine. The goals of this trial will be to determine proper dosage as well as safety parameters of the vaccine including risks and side effects; however, there are a few critical steps the team must accomplish to achieve regulatory compliance necessary for human testing. Prior to clinical trials, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) requires that the investigational new drug (IND) must meet stringent criteria for use in humans. This is done to ensure that the components of the IND are properly made in a reproducible manner and is well defined, pure, and free from contaminants that could harm test subjects. From start to finish, this process is costly (~$1.5-2M) and requires specialized, offsite facilities dedicated to this effort. After this is complete, the team will submit an application to the FDA to obtain permission to use the IND in clinical trials.
The first Phase I trial, slated to begin in mid 2020, will focus exclusively on women who have recently recovered from treatment for triple-negative breast cancer, the most lethal form of this disease. If this trial indicates that the vaccine has an acceptable safety profile, it will be followed by a second Phase I trial, which will be open to women at high risk for triple-negative breast cancer who elect voluntary mastectomy to reduce their risk. Dr. Tuohy’s team plans to vaccinate them a few months prior to their planned mastectomy and then examine the removed breast tissues for any inflammation that the vaccine may induce. Once Dr. Tuohy and his team have determined the vaccine is safe in humans, they can begin to vaccinate cancer-free women.
Dr. Tuohy and his team are incredibly grateful for the passion and advocacy behind this important research initiative. Funding enables the team to expand and accelerate their research goals. We look forward to a world that provides pre-emptive immunity against breast cancer. We can make a difference together.