Auto Dealer Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Through Mammograms in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Areas

Carousel Motors and Carousel Nissan has created a fund to help women pay for mammograms in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and surrounding areas, in support of breast cancer awareness this month. 

Breast cancer is a disease that has special meaning to Pat Lind, the general manager of Carousel. His 32-year-old daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, and lost the battle last month.

“Our dealership wanted to help women find breast cancer early, before it’s too late," Lind said on the company's website. "That is why we felt it important to work with the Bras for the Cause charity that helps pay for mammograms. And, knowing the money would be kept local, was especially meaningful to us. This last month, our daughter Kelley lost her battle with breast cancer at the young age of 33.

"I don’t want any father, husband, brother or anyone for that matter, to have to experience such a loss. Together, we can bring an end to this disease," he said.

The dealerships are working with Bras for a Cause, St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids and Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

"Bras for the Cause is in it's sixth year serving the women in the state of Iowa," said Marcia Munger, a board member with Bras for the Cause. "Mainly our events were centered around Des Moines, but as we've grown, people like Carousel Motors and Carousel Nissan of Iowa City are helping us expand our network and message. We think it's great that a local business has been able to do something that can make such an impact on women in their own area."

Carousel's effort began last year with the donation of one mammogram per car sold in the last 10 days of October 2011. It worked out to $8,300 to Bras for a Cause, an organization that keeps money local to be used for women uninsured or under-insured so that they could afford mammograms.

The money is in a fund called “Carousel Auto Group Fund” at St. Luke’s in Cedar Rapids and Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Women can visit those hospitals and ask about the fund, or apply for a grant here.

The effort continues this year with a goal of $10,000 towards the fun.

"When you visit the dealership and purchase a car, you’ll be helping a woman in the area get a mammogram that could not otherwise afford one," the company website states.

Here's more:

There is more that you can do to help too, stop in and help vote for our artists “Bra” that will be auctioned off at the Bras for the Cause Gala. If you donate $1 per vote, the money goes into the Carousel Auto Group Fund and votes for our bra to be “People’s Choice” in the Gallery Days for Bras for the Cause in Des Moines, IA. This is the only “bra” representing the Iowa City area, so come in and vote!

Donations to our fund our most welcome. Checks need to be written to “Bras for the Cause” with Carousel Auto Group Fund in the memo area.