General Motors once again chaired the Karmanos Cancer Institute’s annual dinner. In its 33rd year running, the Karmanos Cancer institute raised $2.8 million to fund improvements to the ICU and create a 24-hour care clinic.
Cadillac hosted the event at the General Motors Design Dome, with Debra and Bob Ferguson, senior vice president of Global Public Policy at General Motors Company, chairing the event. The event set a record for the most donated to the Karmanos Institute. $2.3 million was donated leading up to the event, and $500,000 was raised at the event itself.
“Debra and I were honored to serve as chairs of this outstanding event and to continue GM’s longtime support for the Karmanos Cancer Institute,” said Bob Ferguson. “We know how important it is to provide cancer patients with the care and treatment they deserve and are thrilled to be able to support such a vital and important organization in Detroit.”
This was the fifth year running General Motors leadership has chaired the glamorous event, but the first year the event was held at the futuristic GM Design Dome.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra attended the event, personally paying tribute to her late friend Lil Erdeljan, former Karmanos Cancer Institute board member and longtime Karmanos supporter. With her tribute, she announced the Erdeljan family would be contributing $50,000 to the institute to further its expansions.
Another portion of the record fundraising was made in part by David Flynn of Flynn Auto Group in Ohio. Flynn secured the winning bid to the very first production 2016 Cadillac CT6, auctioned off by Barrett-Jackson in Palm Beach. His $200,000 bid for the 2016 CT6 will also be made in regards to the Karmanos Institute.
Gerald Bepler, president and CEO of the Karmanos Cancer Institute, was outspoken on the outpouring of support for the institute and the general donations received.
“Once again, General Motors, the GM Foundation and all of our generous sponsors and contributors have stepped up to the plate for the benefit of our patients,” said Bepler. “Through everyone’s support, Karmanos can continue its mission of providing exceptional cancer care and innovative cancer research that translates to better, more effective treatments in the future.”
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