News Release

Corvette coupe raises $125,000 for cancer investigations at TGen

Barrett-Jackson Auction funds research in memory of CEO's father, brother

Grant and Award Announcement

The Translational Genomics Research Institute

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Auction of a 1993 Chevrolet Corvette 40th Anniversary coupe raised $125,000 at the 41st Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, benefiting cancer research at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

Proceeds go to the Barrett-Jackson Cancer Research Fund at TGen, in Memory of Russ and Brian Jackson. The fund is a salute to auction Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson's father, Russ, and brother, Brian, whose lives were cut short by colon cancer.

The ruby red 1993 Corvette is one of the 40th anniversary models of this legendary sports car. The first Corvette was built in 1953.

The car previously raised more than $200,000 for non-profit TGen research. The Corvette was sold and donated back several times during the 2011 auction, overseen by an emotional Craig Jackson.

This year, the Corvette was auctioned during Barrett-Jackson's evening prime time in Scottsdale on Saturday, Jan. 21, when many of the most expensive collector cars were featured.

The car raised $120,000 through auction, during which one member of the Barrett-Jackson audience also volunteered a separate $5,000 donation to TGen.

"Auction proceeds from this car are just a part of our ongoing commitment to raising funds and awareness about the tremendous work being done by TGen. I am so energized and honored by the research being done in memory of my dad and brother," Craig Jackson said.

Besides its annual Scottsdale event, Barrett-Jackson also conducts collector car auctions each year in: Palm Beach, Fla.; Orange County, Calif.; and Las Vegas, Nev.

Money raised by Barrett-Jackson supports TGen's research into colon and prostate cancer at TGen's Russ and Brian Jackson Research Laboratory, which is supported by the Barrett-Jackson Cancer Research Fund at TGen. This effort has become a fundraising focus at each of the four Barrett-Jackson collector car auctions. Craig Jackson has acted as a national spokesperson, spreading the word about how the fund supports research into both colon and prostate cancer, and how the research may lead to improved quality of life for cancer patients.

"The Barrett-Jackson team is helping to bring TGen's personalized approach to patients who are battling cancer right now," said Michael Bassoff, President of the non-profit TGen Foundation. "This research focuses on providing patients with the right treatment in the right dosage at the right time.''

Nearly 140,000 Americans are diagnosed annually with colon cancer, which each year kills nearly 50,000 patients, the third-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.

An additional 240,000 American men are annually diagnosed with prostate cancer, which each year kills nearly 34,000 patients, the second-leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S.

The Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction helped raise $5.8 million for local and national charities.

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About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the "World's Greatest Collector Car Events™" in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla., Las Vegas and Orange County, Calif. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit http://www.barrett-jackson.com or call 480-421-6694.

About TGen

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of translational research where investigators are able to unravel the genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For more information, visit: http://www.tgen.org.

Press Contact:

Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
syozwiak@tgen.org


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