Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Stokes Automotive is observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month by raising funds for research.

For every new car sold in the month of October, Stokes will donate $100 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.

“We are really excited about our partnership with Stokes Automotive,” Beth Davis, director of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, said.

Neil Hoggard of Stokes said the dealership had held events for other causes in the past, but this is the first time they are doing something for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

“We have numerous employees whose families have been effected (by cancer),” Hoggard said.

He said the cause was “near and dear to our hearts.”

All models of new cars will qualify for the event. Stokes sells Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama is a nonprofit providing grants for breast cancer researchers.

Davis said the funds from the foundation often help researchers get projects to a point where they can apply for national research grants of larger monetary amounts.

“Everything that we do stays in Alabama,” Davis said.

The foundation’s grants are competitive, but the Comprehensive Research Center at UAB is often awarded funds.

Davis said projects have been funded in other areas of the state as well.

Supporting research, we know, ultimately saves lives,” Davis said.

Each year the foundation sends out requests for research proposals. A team of medical professionals serves as the grant selection committee.

“It’s really a cool time with research right now,” Davis said.

She said the science has made current cancer treatments more personalized.

“It’s leading to better outcomes,” Davis said.

The foundation has fundraising events throughout the year.

Stokes will also serve as a hole-in-one sponsor at the foundation’s golf tournament on Oct. 20.

The foundation has a $1 million fundraising goal this year.

Stokes is located at 86 Peach Tower Road in Clanton and is open Monday through Saturday.