MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Toothman Ford in Grafton recently donated $64,000 to support programs at WVU Medicine Children’s and the WVU Cancer Institute.
“We’ve been partnering with WVU Medicine Children’s and the WVU Cancer Institute for the past several years and are proud to contribute to such worthy causes,” J.R. Toothman, vice president of Toothman Ford, said. “Several of our friends and loved ones, including some of our own employees, have received treatment at these institutions, so it means a lot to be able to give back.”
Of the donation, $50,000 will establish the Toothman Ford Pediatric Cancer Fund, which will provide funds to support the greatest needs of the pediatric cancer unit at WVU Medicine Children’s, including, but not limited to, equipment, patient care, education, and services.
“Toothman Ford and J.R. Toothman have been tremendous partners for the children’s hospital and WVU over the last few years. They understand the tremendous value of supporting their community and enabling programs for families that just can’t be provided without this sort of external support,” J. Philip Saul, M.D., executive vice president of WVU Medicine Children’s, said. “This gift is also a great jump start for expansion of our Children’s Cancer Center in the recently announced WVU Medicine Children’s hospital tower.”
The remainder of the donation – $14,000 – was raised during Toothman Ford’s annual breast cancer awareness campaign and will be used for breast cancer research, treatment, and recovery at the WVU Cancer Institute.
“The Toothman family and their employees invest in our community year after year. Every time Bonnie’s Bus leaves Morgantown to do screening mammograms in another underserved rural location, our support team drives the chase car donated by Toothman Ford,” Richard Goldberg, M.D., director of the WVU Cancer Institute, said. “That reminds us of their ongoing commitments nearly every day, a commitment for which we are so grateful.”
Since 2005, Toothman Ford and the Toothman family has donated close to $130,000 to WVU Medicine Children’s the WVU Cancer Institute for various purposes. In addition, Toothman Ford also donated the chase car used by the WVU Cancer Institute’s Bonnie Wells Wilson Mobile Mammography Program (Bonnie’s Bus). Earlier this year, Toothman Ford received the 2017 WVU Medicine Children’s Community Service Award.
In celebration of the dealership’s 50th anniversary this year, Toothman Ford donated $500 each business day through Nov. 28 to a carefully-selected, local charity that works to positively impact the community. It was a way to say thank you to the community for 50 years of support.
For more information about WVU Medicine Children’s, including ways to support the capital campaign to build its new 10-story tower, visit www.wvumedicine.org/childrens.
For more information about the WVU Cancer Institute, visit www.wvumedicine.org/cancer.
For more information about Toothman Ford, visit www.toothmanford.com.