Sat, 2 Oct 2004, 10:29 AM Weis Racing/ RaceGirl Motorsports Partnering with NON-PROFIT Congenital Heart Defect

Courtesy of John Loeffler

JOLIET, Ill. -- Society Society Scott Weis and the RaceGirl Top Fueler will be displaying special graphics to raise awareness for the Congenital Heart Defect Society. According to the March of Dimes Congenital Heart Defects (CHDS) are the most common birth defects and the leading cause of birth defect deaths, yet there is very little public awareness of the 35 known types of CHD. In the US nearly twice as many children die from CHDs than all forms of childhood cancer combined. 1 in 10 children born with a CHD will never see adulthood, while the remaining can go on to live fairly normal lives with proper medical supervision, medication and lifestyle choices.

Executive director of the CHD Society Jennifer Bennett, whose own daughter Ashley has CHD, speaks of the partnering with Weis and the RaceGirl team.

“ Our steering committee explored several ways of raising awareness for the CHD Society. POWERade Drag Racing rose to the top of our list. It’s amazing how many Americans are fans. I was very excited when we contacted Scott Weis. Before I could finish asking, Scott volunteered to help our organization. We hope by partnering with Weis Racing we can raise awareness of this condition and raise funds to research new therapies for children living with CHD.

“I think this is a really great organization to be involved with,” said Top Fuel pilot Scott Weis. “It touched me to hear about Jennifer’s daughter. It’s humbling that a four-year-old child has to take five different medications because of a CHD. It’s an honor to support the Congenital Heart Defect Society.”

“I hope all our POWERade Drag Racing fans will stop by the CHD website at www.chdquilt.org and learn about this condition.”