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With several car shows from the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association around the corner, we took the time to interview Amy Jo Osborn, president of the Austin Hatcher Foundation. This year, Goodguys will be holding their AutoCross for Kids program, with all proceeds going directly to the Austin Hatcher Foundation.
Raising awareness for pediatric cancer, the Austin Hatcher Foundation strives to mitigate the effects of the disease. Take a look at what Obsborn had to say about their collaboration with Goodguys.
Rod Authority: Discuss the partnership you created with Goodguys Rod & Custom Association.
A Corvette Sting Ray on the track cutting corners.
Amy Jo Osborn: “The partnership with Goodguys Rod & Custom Association AutoCross for Kids is designed to raise funds and awareness for the Foundation’s mission to erase the effects of pediatric cancer for patients, survivors, and their families. The partnership will provide the Foundation with opportunities to educate both children and adults about healthy lifestyles that prevent cancer, as well as provide much-needed therapies, in a variety of cities throughout the United States. Association members and show attendees will have opportunities to contribute to the effort through donations, the purchase of limited edition merchandise, and participation in the AutoCross for Kids, as well as through volunteering for some of the program’s initiatives.”
RA: Explain the Austin Hatcher Foundation’s primary goals and what you provide to those in need.
AJO: “The Foundation has three major divisions: the Healthy Lifestyle Education Division educating children at a young age to empower them with the knowledge necessary to make healthy lifestyle choices that can prevent cancer later in life such as healthy eating, no use of tobacco, exercising daily, and sun safety. Secondly, the Psycho-Oncology Division is focused on restoring and maximizing the emotional, academic and social development of the child, family members and family unit after a diagnosis of pediatric cancer is made.”
Autocross for Kids aims to bring cancer awareness to the automotive community.
“Although this process focuses on the child with cancer, optimum recovery from the toxic but lifesaving oncologic treatments may not be reached without addressing educational, academic, and parenting issues that may exist within the household prior to the onset of cancer.”
“These services are tailored to the individual’s needs and are offered starting at the diagnosis of cancer and provided throughout the child and families lifespan. Lastly, the Diversionary Therapy Division provides families faced with pediatric cancer with specialized activities that promote the involvement of leisure, recreation, and play by reducing barriers. These opportunities promote self-esteem, personal fulfillment, psychological, social, intellectual, and spiritual/cultural well-being.”
RA: Please discuss the history of the Austin Hatcher Foundation.
AJO: “In 2006, my husband and I lost our first born son, Austin Hatcher Osborn to a very rare and aggressive form of pediatric cancer. From our experience, we found gaps of services that were not being met for children and families battling the effects of pediatric cancer. The Foundation was designed not to reinvent the wheel, but to focus on services that were not being met. These include services such as focusing on the effects that come with pediatric cancer and focusing on the entire family because when a child is diagnosed, the entire family is diagnosed. In eight short years, the Foundation has melded into the three major divisions: Healthy Lifestyle Education, Psycho-Oncology, and Diversionary Therapy.”
The Austin Hatcher Foundation Will Be At The Following Events:
- 1st North Carolina Nationals. April 17-19, NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC
- 10th Nashville Nationals, May 15-17, LP Field, Nashville, TN
- 2nd Indy Nationals, June 5-7, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, IN
- 18th PPG Nationals, July10-12, Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, OH
- 4th Nostalgia Nationals, September 18-20, Beech Bend Raceway Park, Bowling Green, KY
- 22nd Southeastern Nationals, October 23-25, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC
AJO: “The Austin Hatcher Foundation is very involved in the motorsports/automotive industry. It is actually in the Foundation’s DNA. My husband and I even met at the races. He was racing professionally and I was a photographer for Southern Living and I was assigned as his photographer to do a story on how he was a orthopedic surgeon who raced professionally and raised money for kids with cancer. Well, as you probably know, the racing and automotive community are like family and they knew “Hatch” (Austin Hatcher) and walked through the devastating loss of him as well.”
“The Foundation has been the official charity of the American Le Mans Series for the last 5 years and starting in 2014 is and will be the official charity of IMSA. We are very involved in SEMA and with everything we do, always looking to build partnerships through mutually beneficial campaigns. As a result, we met Betsy and Andrew from Goodguys and after many discussions, ideas and tears, the AutoCross for Kids was developed.”
RA: Explain the services the Austin Hatcher Foundation provides.
AJO: “The AutoCross for Kids program will not only directly help fund all three divisions, it will also be a part of providing Diversionary Therapy to children at the local Children’s Hospitals as we have Goodguys staff and locals join us in building and racing derby cars with the kids.”
Goodguys car meets bring hot rods to one place for all to see.
RA: Please discuss what takes place at each AutoCross for Kids event.
AJO: “Goodguys will work in conjunction with the Foundation at several Goodguys shows during 2015. Association members and show attendees will have opportunities to contribute to the effort through donations, the purchase of limited edition merchandise, and participation in the “AutoCross for Kids”, as well as through volunteering for some of the program’s initiatives.
The AutoCross for Kids will offer Goodguys car show attendees opportunities at selected shows a chance to ride with Pro AutoCross competitors on a specially-prepared closed performance AutoCross course in exchange for a specified donation to the Austin Hatcher Foundation.”
“The AutoCross for Kids promotion will be held on Fridays and Sundays at select events. During each event weekend, the Foundation also will partner with a local hospital to bring its innovative Diversionary Therapy program to children and families in the pediatric oncology units.”
“Goodguys will enhance the program by inviting members of the local hot rod community to participate and display collectable cars.”
The program is designed to help patients, survivors, and their families enjoy leisure time by building and racing the Foundation’s pinewood derby cars, in the process offering a simple but effective diversion from the challenges presented by pediatric cancer. – Amy Jo Osborn
AJO: “The Austin Hatcher Foundation thrives on associating themselves with honorable, caring and talented groups, and Goodguys Rod & Custom Association is a perfect example.”
RA: Which Goodguys events will you be sponsoring AutoCross for Kids at?
AJO: “For right now, we have these events scheduled. We are also in the process of discussing more events for the schedule.”
With the car show season about to kick into full gear, Goodguys seeks a great turnout once again. With the bevy of hot rod enthusiasts, young and old, the AutoCross for Kids program shows their awareness is outside the realm of just cars. Here, they are fundraising for a noble cause. If you would like to obtain more information about the Autocross for Kids program, click here to learn more.
