GM Foundation Grant to Aid Karmanos Cancer Fight

DETROIT, April 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The General Motors Foundation awarded the Karmanos Cancer Institute a $50,000 grant Saturday evening for research to help the nationally renowned Detroit-based center in its work toward curing and treating cancer.

The grant was announced at the Karmanos' Annual Fundraising dinner by General Motors Co. Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson and his wife Karin, co-chairs for the event.

In addition to the foundation's grant, GM supported the Institute's premier fundraising venue through a $25,000 sponsorship with Cadillac and provided use of the GM Heritage Center and several silent auction gifts.  

The evening was expected to net more than $700,000 that Karmanos will apply toward its new Joseph Dresner Family Bone Marrow Transplant and Hematologic Malignancies Center.  Scheduled to open later this year, the Dresner Center will benefit hundreds of patients each month and expand Karmanos' ability to conduct future cancer research and clinical trials.

"At GM, we are fortunate to have so many people who care about supporting the communities where we live and work," said Akerson. "In Detroit, we're fortunate to have the Karmanos Cancer Institute in the heart of our community.  That's why we are proud to help the Institute in its important work to save lives and to provide hope and inspiration to cancer patients and their families."

 "GM continues its long history of support for the Karmanos Cancer Institute with this cancer research grant and active participation in our 29th Annual Dinner," said Dr. Gerold Bepler, President and CEO of Karmanos. "We cannot thank the Akersons and GM enough for their generosity. I think I speak for our entire region when I say how fortunate we are to have such a great corporate citizen in our community."

The foundation grant and the GM–Cadillac corporate sponsorship is the most recent investment toward improving the quality of life in Detroit and Southeast Michigan.

Recent GM Foundation supported initiatives include the $4.5 million Buick Achievers scholarship program, which will grant scholarships to 1,100 first-time college students next year in amounts ranging from $2,000 to as much as $25,000.  

In December 2010, the foundation granted $2 million to improve community centers near GM's Detroit-Hamtramck plant and also announced its largest donation ever of $27.1 million to the United Way for Southeast Michigan to create "Networks of Excellence" at seven high schools to dramatically increase graduation rates and rebuild the region's skilled workforce.  

About the GM Foundation –Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to deserving American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates.  Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM.  The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/corporate/responsibility/community.

About General Motors – General Motors (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 202,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries.  GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 30 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM's largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Italy.  GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.  More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

About Karmanos Cancer Institute -- Based in midtown Detroit, Karmanos is one of 40 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Caring for more than 6,000 new patients annually on a budget of $216 million, conducting more than 700 cancer-specific scientific investigation programs and clinical trials, the Karmanos Cancer Center is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 faculty members, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect and eradicate cancer.   For more information, visit www.karmanos.org

SOURCE General Motors