New Country Motor Car Group recently ‘put on the purple’ to help the West Hartford-based Ron Foley Foundation raise money and awareness to fight pancreatic cancer. 

From left front row: Jennifer Loughran, Executive Vice President of The Ron Foley Foundation, Steven Dunham, General Manager of New Country Mercedes-Benz, Barbara Foley, President of the Ron Foley Foundation, (back row): Tim Parker, Vice President of New Country Motor Car Group and Joe Furey, Chief Meteorologist for FOX-CT TV, look posh in purple at the Put Your Purple Party hosted by New Country Motor Cars. The event kicked off the new fundraising year for the Ron Foley Foundation for pancreatic cancer research and care. Submitted photo

Submitted

Pancreatic cancer has the worst survival rate of all cancers.  But that’s a statistic the Ron Foley Foundation is fighting hard to change. New Country Motor Car Group recently helped to elevate the charity by hosting the Put Your Purple On Party, the official launch of the organization’s 2017 fundraising season.

More than 75 supporters were treated to a colorful fashion show organized by Debbie Wright of Project Closet. New Country staff members and volunteers from the Ron Foley Foundation served as runway models regaled in the latest purple designer styles.

“As a member of the CT community, we are happy to help give voice to a charity working so hard to improve lives and are so appreciative to all those who came out to support the Ron Foley Foundation by attending the event,” said New Country Vice President Tim Parker.  “It was a great night for a great cause!”

The cornerstone of the Ron Foley Foundation is the annual Ron’s Run for the Roses, a Kentucky Derby day charity gala.  Ron Foley lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in 2005. Ron was a respected business leader who had just retired from The Travelers Insurance Company where he served for many years as a member of the company’s senior management team.

As a way to honor Ron’s memory, his family and friends were determined to make a difference in the fight against pancreatic cancer. The Ron Foley Foundation, Inc. was granted 501(c)(3) status in 2010.

Approximately 53,070 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States this year, about 700 of them in Connecticut.  An estimated 41,780 people will not survive the year and only 7% will be alive in 5 years. Studies show that mortality rates for pancreatic cancer are increasing in the United States, while death rates are declining for other major cancers. Despite these statistics, the National CancerInstitute spends less than 2% of their funds on pancreatic cancer research.

To date, the charity has raised over $1.5 million to help fight pancreatic cancer. Its mission is to fund pancreatic cancer medical research, promote public awareness through education and to provide direct financial assistance to pancreatic cancer patients in need.

“We are extremely grateful to Tim and New Country for their ongoing commitment to the foundation and serving as the presenting sponsor of our signature event again this upcoming year,” said Barbara Foley, president of the Ron Foley Foundation. “Their generosity allows us to provide financial assistance to families of pancreatic cancer patients.”

New Country Motor Car Group has several locations in the Hartford, CT area; New Country Motor Cars representing Mercedes-Benz /smart / Sprinter, and New Country BMW-MINI.  The organization prides itself on world-class knowledge and impeccable service.  New Country Motor Car Group has dealerships representing 16 brands in Connecticut, New York and Florida.  Visit www.newcountry.com for more information.