Filed under: Jeff Gordon, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Hendrick Motorsports
Grin.
Joking aside, the Hendrick Motorsports driver really was in Washington D.C. Tuesday in support of an organization that is far more important than point standings or top-five finishes -- the National Marrow Donor Program. Gordon made the rounds on the organization's behalf the drum up support behind several issues that the group is looking to improve.
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From The Jeff Gordon Foundation website:
Gordon met with key lawmakers, including the House of Representatives North Carolina delegation, to urge their continued support of the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).
The NMDP, a nonprofit organization, serves a vital role in the U.S. health care system by facilitating unrelated marrow and cord blood transplants to treat patients with more than 70 diseases including leukemia, lymphoma and sickle cell anemia.
"I have watched some very good friends battle leukemia who were not able to find a match. Their struggle has made me more passionate about and committed to increasing awareness about public cord blood banking and the work of the NMDP," said Gordon.
Now I won't claim to be an expert the subject Gordon was advocating for, but I will say it definitely falls into the "'Atta Boy!" category for good deeds.
Gordon -- to the best of my knowledge -- started supporting the marrow program early in his career with Hendrick Motorsports when team owner Rick Hendrick was diagnosed with, battled, and successfully beat leukemia. And in 2004, the blue wrist bands that were sold bearing the phrase "Life Is a Team Sport" in memory of the Hendrick plane crash victims had their proceeds donated to the NMDP.
Good move, JG, and hopefully -- if you're a fan of the No. 24 -- the good karma will give him an assist this weekend at Dover International Speedway for the second race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
