Activities associated with an upcoming NASCAR race Iowa Speedway will help raise funds for the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center at the University of Iowa.
In conjunction with the race, which will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Iowa Speedway in Newton, the organization's nearly 1 million members are holding fundraising events at local aeries across the country and Canada for the diabetes center.
The No.10 Toyota Camry, driven by Kelly Bires for Braun Racing, in support of the cause will feature the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center and the University of Iowa.
"We hope to have a fun day at the race for a great cause," said Greg Martin, Fraternal Order of Eagles Iowa state president. "We're committed to raising $25 million for the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center at the University of Iowa. Hosting our annual hospitality race in Iowa with the day-long fundraising challenge to all our members across the country and Canada is an exciting, effective way to work towards our goal."
In September 2008, the Fraternal Order of Eagles pledged to raise the $25 million to fund endowed chairs and fellowships for diabetes researchers, provide seed grants for innovative research, and help recruit leading scientists in diabetes research and translational medicine. The center will be part of the UI Institute for Biomedical Discovery on the UI's health sciences campus.
"Our organization has always put the health and welfare of people first," said Fraternal Order of Eagles Grand Worthy President Mike Lagervall Sr. "Diabetes is one of the nation’s most challenging health problems. Our partnership with Braun Racing and fundraising challenge to our members in conjunction with the NASCAR race is just one of the many ways we're raising funds for University of Iowa research to find cures for diabetes."
In addition to Saturday's events at the track, the Grinnell Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie will host three Braun Racing drivers for a meet-and-greet on Friday, July 31. The social event begins around 7 p.m. and will feature drivers Kelly Bires, Jason Leffler and Brian Ickler. The Aerie is located at 616 4th Ave. in Grinnell.
To learn more or donate to the organization's overall fundraising effort for the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center at the UI, visit http://www.foe.com/charities/diabetes.aspx.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles, an international non-profit organization, unites fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills, and by promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope. Founded in 1898, the Eagles fund research in areas such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and cancer, and raise money for neglected and abused children and the aged, as well as work for social and civic change.