NASCAR Star Kasey Kahne Challenges Fans to Help Accelerate Race to Provide Children With High Quality Health Care

Sprint Cup Series Team Member Joins FOX Sports Supports to Put More Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles on the Road

OAK BROOK, Ill., April 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Kasey Kahne knows that quality medical and dental care from the youngest age gives kids the green flag to a healthy and happy life.  Through a personal donation of $50,000, Kahne is challenging his fans and followers to visit www.drivetocare.org and help him raise the $500,000 needed to put a new Ronald McDonald Care Mobile^® (RMCM) clinic on the road in a neighborhood where children need access to high quality care.  For more than a decade, Ronald McDonald House Charities^® (RMHC^®) has created these mobile clinics, which open the door to quality services and health education by identifying, treating, and referring children to a continuous health source.

"Through Kasey Kahne Foundation events we've been able to support Ronald McDonald House Charities for many years. They have a great program going on to help kids in need. It's a neat initiative that fans can be a part of and help me raise the money to make this happen and give more kids the chance for a healthy life," said Kahne.

A unique mobile healthcare program, the RMCM goes beyond treatment, by reducing families' reliance on emergency rooms, heightening awareness of healthy lifestyles and helping eligible families obtain government-assisted health insurance. Staffed by healthcare experts in the communities it serves, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program works to complement existing services, build capacity and strengthen the local healthcare infrastructure. Ten years after the launch of the first RMCM, there are 38 programs on the road today -- 34 in the United States, one in Europe, two in Asia Pacific and one in Latin America with plans for both domestic and international expansion.  

A public service announcement was shot with Kasey, who is being supported by FOX Sports in his effort to raise money for the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. FOX Sports Supports, the networks charitable initiative, recently named RMHC its charity of choice for the 2010 NASCAR on FOX Season. From the Daytona 500 to the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, NC, FOX Sports Supports will use the power of its broadcasts to increase awareness, volunteerism and donations for RMHC through on-air mentions and public service announcements.  

Sixty percent of the children who visit the RMCM are uninsured and do not visit a physician's office during the year and more than half have no care from a provider of any type in an office-based setting.  Uninsured children are at greater risk of experiencing health problems such as obesity, heart disease and asthma, and most likely these will continue to affect them later in adulthood.

RMCM staff provides services that range from immunizations and preventive check-ups to dental care and treatment for chronic and acute illnesses.  Most importantly, they work with families to connect them with ongoing care from a primary doctor or dentist.

"Through the support of Kasey, his foundation, his fans everywhere and FOX Sports Supports, Ronald McDonald House Charities will be able to connect even more children to consistent medical and dental care," said Jennifer Smith, senior director, RMHC. "We are excited about the day that Kasey waves the green flag and our new Ronald McDonald Care Mobile hits the road as a result of the generous NASCAR community."

About the Kasey Kahne Foundation

The Kasey Kahne Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)3, was created by NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne to raise and donate funds to charitable organizations that care for chronically ill children and their families. The Foundation is dedicated to positive cultural changes by giving underprivileged boys and girls ample opportunities for success. Community involvement projects are valued as they have the chance to make a positive impact on a life. For more information, visit www.kaseykahnefoundation.org/.

About FOX Sports Supports

FOX Sports Supports, established in 2007 by David Hill, Chairman & CEO, FOX Sports Television Group. and Bill Wanger, Senior Vice President of Research and Programming, FOX Sports, is an on-air charitable initiative devoted to raising awareness, providing financial assistance and spurring volunteerism for select health related charities through on-air mentions, Public Service Announcements (PSA) and compassionate involvement in order to improve the quality of life for millions in need.

Months of research go into determining a final list of worthwhile organizations from which to choose. FOX Sports employees are then asked to vote privately to determine the inaugural FOX Sports Supports charities.  

About RMHC

Ronald McDonald House Charities, a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Families and children being cared for at seventy-three percent of the most prestigious children's hospitals in the world benefit from one or more of the RMHC core programs. Its programs are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children need it most -- right in their own communities. RMHC makes an immediate, positive impact on children's lives through its global network of local Chapters in 52 countries and regions and its three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House^®, Ronald McDonald Family Room^® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile^®. RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded millions of dollars in grants to support children's programs around the world. These programs and grants provide a bridge to quality health care and gives children what they need most to heal, their families.

SOURCE Ronald McDonald House Charities