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08-29-03
DARRELL GWYNN FOUNDATION
RECOGNIZED, SUPPORTED BY THE NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
DAVIE, Fla. Aug. 29, 2003, It was announced today that The
Darrell Gwynn Foundation will be recognized by The National Hot
Rod Association (NHRA) and as such be afforded internal and
external marketing and media support.
Created in 2002, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation (DGF) is a
non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to prevent,
provide for and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other
debilitating illnesses. To expedite specific cures, the
Foundation assists in the funding of targeted research.
The Darrell Gwynn Foundation is presided by Darrell Gwynn, owner
of the New York Yankees/Berryman Products sponsored NHRA
POWERade Series Top Fuel dragster driven by Cory McClenathan.
The 1983 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster world champion, Gwynn was a
leading Top Fuel dragster driver prior to sustaining
career-ending injuries. On Easter Sunday 1990, Gwynn's Top Fuel
dragster broke apart in a violent fireball at more than 200 mph
during an exhibition run in England. He suffered a broken neck,
lost his lower left arm, and retained only limited use of his
right arm. A spinal cord injury suffered in the crash left Gwynn
a quadriplegic and confined to a wheelchair.
Since 1989, and preceding the spinal cord injury which ended his
stellar driving career, Gwynn has been an active fundraiser and
supporter of spinal cord injury research. To date, he and his
organization have raised the majority of $1 million for spinal
cord research, as well as providing educational initiatives and
direct assistance to those affected by spinal cord injuries.
One such program, a national wheelchair giveaway initiative
involving the Darrell Gwynn Foundation and the Quickie
wheelchair brand of Sunrise Medical, awards financially
challenged spinal cord injured youths with a free, custom
motorized Quickie wheelchair valued at more than $10,000. The
program also includes motivational and educational speaking
engagements by Gwynn and Sunrise Medical representatives at
leading U.S. rehabilitation facilities. Each wheelchair
presentation culminates in a V.I.P. trackside visit by the
wheelchair recipient and their families to the Darrell Gwynn
Racing team during an NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series national
event, co-hosted by the NHRA.
"My racing career has always been synonymous with the National
Hot Rod Association," said Gwynn. "We have enjoyed NHRA's
generous assistance in the trackside elements of our charitable
activities for several years. Now, to have them acknowledge and
embrace the Darrell Gwynn Foundation and its mission is
particularly gratifying."
The NHRA will provide support to the foundation through
marketing and media platforms, both on-site and through NHRA.COM
and National Dragster.
"The Darrell Gwynn Foundation has raised money and provided much
needed assistance to those affected by spinal cord injuries,"
said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. "We are proud to lend our
support to this very worthy cause."
For more information on the Darrell Gwynn Foundation, please
visit its website at
www.darrellgwynnfoundation.org.
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