Fueling with ethanol yields $6,100 for cancer research
Throughout October, drivers raised more than $6,100 for cancer research by choosing American Ethanol blends at Aurora Cooperative along with other Nebraska retail stations participating in Fuel the Cure.
Fuel the Cure is a Nebraska awareness promotion designed to bring attention to the benefits of cleaner-burning American Ethanol blends available throughout the state.
For every gallon of ethanol-blended fuel—E15 to flex fuel E85—purchased between Oct. 1-31, the participating fuel station donated three cents per gallon with proceeds benefitting the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. Aurora Cooperative drivers raised $1,695.33 with a match coming from the Erin Rust Benefit Fund bringing the total donation to the cancer center up to $3,390.66.
While biofuels and cancer research may seem like an unlikely pairing, research shows that using more biofuels leads to less air pollution. According to the American Lung Association, up to 70 percent of ground-level ozone-forming pollutants come from mobile-source emissions.
“Gasoline contains as many as 300 different chemicals,” said Sarah Caswell, Nebraska Ethanol Board administrator. “Some of these chemicals are known and suspected to cause cancer. Higher blends of biofuel dilute the level of toxic additives in our fuel, which helps reduce pollution and the threat to public health. Ethanol is the safest component in gasoline today.”
The mission of the Fred & Pamela Cancer Center is to understand, prevent and cure cancer in Nebraska through premier educational programs, innovative research, the highest quality patient care, and outreach to underserved populations. Representatives from the Nebraska Ethanol Board, Nebraska Corn Board and Renewable Fuels Nebraska presented a donation check to the Cancer Center Nov. 15.
“This has been a great partnership for us because we want to share the positive benefits of cleaner-burning American Ethanol,” said David Bruntz, Nebraska Corn Board chairman and farmer from Friend. “Fuel the Cure helps us achieve this goal while aiding in cancer research. I look forward to seeing this awareness campaign continue to grow with more participating fuel retailers and more drivers choosing ethanol-blended fuels.”
The Nebraska Corn and Ethanol Boards, along with Renewable Fuels Nebraska, sponsor Fuel the Cure in conjunction with retail stations. To see the full list of stations that donated funds, visit www.fuelthecure.pink.