Clarksville’s Valvoline hosts cookout to raise money for Breast Cancer Research

Clarksville, TN – When Doug Wall, owner of Convenient Car Care Inc. of Clarksville, decided to have his company dedicate the month of October to raising awareness and money for the Sarah Cannon Cancer Research Institute, little did he know what an impact it would have.

It’s personal!

“My family has been affected by this disease, and it’s a terrible thing. I would do anything to help find a cure,” Wall told Clarksville Online. “My mother and grand-mother both suffered with it. I know what a terrible disease it is, first-hand” said Wall.

Throughout the month of October, Convenient Car Care Inc. will donate $2.00 for each oil change to cancer research. That donation has been matched by Valvoline Corporate for a total of $4.00 per oil change. The goal is $15,000, and after today’s event, they’re half-way home.

Candace Ursery, President of Convenient Car Care Inc., said all of the employees were excited about the promotion.

“We’ve had our wonderful employees asking when they could wear their pink t-shirts, and start collecting donations for this cause. They’ve been very excited about what we’re doing. I think that when we painted the buildings pink they realized they were a part of something special.”

On Friday, October 18th, Convenient Car Care Inc. hosted a cookout with hamburgers and hotdogs to raise cancer awareness. The food was free for anyone that stopped by.

During Friday’s event, Judy Morris, of Ashland City, stopped by to tell us her story of surviving cancer. She said when she saw the pink buildings, she pulled into the parking lot and cried.

“I have just come through a fight with breast cancer, having lost both of my breasts,” said Morris. “It’s the most devastating news you can hear from your doctor.” “I had surgery this summer, and I didn’t need chemotherapy or radiation, and now I’m cancer free. With routine check-ups, I will hopefully lead a healthy productive life” according to Morris.

When asked how she dealt with the news, and the challenges that laid ahead, Morris fought back the tears and recounted how she survived.

“I put my fate in the hands of God. With family, friends, and my church, we were able to win this fight together. I have 6 children, and we’ve just adopted two little ones, and I looked at them and thought, “what would they do without me?” so I was going to fight this, and I was going to win” said Morris.

Convenient Car Care Inc. has had the full support of the Valvoline Corporate Office, and Marshall Wheaton, a Franchise Business Consultant with Valvoline, was on hand to lend support.

[320left]”We support our franchisee’s in all their endeavors, especially their charitable efforts, and I’m delighted to be on hand today to help in any way possible,” said Wheaton. “These types of campaigns are good for the community, they’re good for Valvoline, and obviously, this is a great effort in the fight against Cancer.”

When asked what Valvoline thought of the idea, and what Convenient Car Care Inc. was planning, Wheaton said that it’s been the talk of the corporate office for a long time.

“We’ve been talking about this for a long time, and we were just excited to see how it would all come together. The idea of Doug and his staff painting these buildings pink, and giving so much to cancer research, it’s been pretty exciting to see all of this unfold the way it has. We couldn’t be more excited and proud of the work they’re doing here in Clarksville.”

They were also joined by Patrick Davis, a Commercial Account Manger with Advance Auto Parts.

“I’ve worked with Doug and Candace and Valvoline for quite some time, and this has been an exciting event to help support. I’m proud to be here today, wearing my pink t-shirt, AND the pink Tu Tu in support of their promotion. It’s been a lot of fun” said Davis.

Donations can be made at any Valvoline Instant Oil Change location, or any Valvoline Complete Car Care Center.

Follow Valvoline on Facebook for discounts and news of upcoming events and promotions.

For more pictures, visit the Discover Clarksville Photo Gallery.