The Panoz Family Joins Patron Highcroft Racing, Tequila Patron and Racecar Fans Across the Country to Help Families in Africa Fight Malaria with Malaria No More
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DANBURY, Conn., July 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patron Highcroft Racing and Malaria No More have been joined by a new partner in their fight to end malaria deaths in Africa through the Miles to End Malaria program, which brings some of the fastest racecar drivers in the world to the race to save lives from malaria and counts every mile around the track as a victory against the disease.
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The American Le Mans Series team joined forces with Malaria No More at the commencement of the 2009 season, aiming to raise money for every mile they complete during the championship year. The Connecticut-based team and its sponsor Tequila Patron have already pledged $5 each per mile for the season. Race fans have also made per-mile pledges via www.milestoendmalaria.org.
Now American Le Mans Series founder Dr. Don Panoz and his wife Nancy have joined the fight to combat malaria by also contributing $5 for every mile.
With four of the 10 races now completed, the fundraising total has reached $27,550.19 -- enough for more than 2,700 life-saving mosquito nets so far. Two of the six remaining races will dramatically boost the total with the 1000-mile Petit Le Mans event and the four-hour final round at Laguna Seca winding out the year.
Dr. Panoz founded the American Le Mans Series championship in 1999, inspired by the world's most famous endurance event, the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. Current Patron Highcroft Racing driver David Brabham formerly drove for Panoz's own team in the ALMS from 1999 to 2002.
"When I was a child, malaria was still a major problem in the U.S. Fortunately, the disease has been eradicated here, but it is still a major issue in Africa," Dr. Panoz said.
"I applaud what Duncan Dayton and the Patron Highcroft Racing team have done with Malaria No More and am delighted to make a contribution to the Miles to End Malaria campaign. The American Le Mans Series has thousands of fans around the world, and I think it is great that the Miles to End Malaria campaign can access this fan-base to help fight this problem in Africa."
All monies raised will help combat malaria deaths in Africa via the purchase of mosquito nets. Every mile sends another $10 mosquito net to a family in Africa, helping them protect themselves from the bite of a malaria mosquito.
"Dr. Panoz joins an impressive group of leaders, including racecar drivers David Brabham and Scott Sharp, entertainment icons like Ryan Seacrest and Ashton Kutcher, and world leaders UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and President Obama, working together to shine a light upon this global issue," said Scott Case, CEO of Malaria No More. "We are so grateful that Dr. Panoz is helping us raise awareness and ensure that every mile helps declare victory against malaria."
Dr Panoz will join the Malaria No More CEO at a media event this afternoon at Patron Highcroft Racing's Danbury, CT headquarters.
Malaria is a disease of the blood, transmitted from person to person by certain types of mosquitoes. Although eradicated in the United States more than 50 years ago, the disease kills almost one million people every year - most of them young children in Africa.
Patron Highcroft Racing aims to complete more miles for the cause this weekend at the Lime Rock, CT, round of the American Le Mans Series Championship on Saturday, July 18. Not only is the team fighting hard to end malaria deaths, the team is also heading the pack for title success, leading the LMP1 class in the 2009 championship.
The Lime Rock event is the home race for the Danbury, CT-based team. The track was also the scene of the squad's first overall victory in the American Le Mans Series last year with Brabham and co-driver Scott Sharp.
"We are certainly extremely thankful to Dr. Panoz for contributing to our Miles to End Malaria campaign," Patron Highcroft Racing owner, Duncan Dayton said. "Our entire team has been touched by the level of support by the fans and the entire sportscar racing community. We have some big races ahead - every mile we finish is another step closer to chasing our championship goals and saving as many lives as possible from malaria in Africa."
Learn more about Miles To End Malaria at www.MilesToEndMalaria.org.
Find media images of Miles To End Malaria at: http://www.phrmedia.com
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About Malaria No More
Malaria No More is determined to end malaria deaths in Africa -- and it's helping the world get it done. MNM uses breakthrough communications, global advocacy and smart investments to help reach its goal: providing universal access to malaria interventions by the end of 2010 and ending deaths by 2015. Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria, but a simple net can save lives. Find out how you can help at www.MalariaNoMore.org.
CONTACT: Emily Bergantino Malaria No More 646-884-7419 Cell:646-673-3011 [email protected]
SOURCE Malaria No More
