A mission run on F.U.E.L.

Bryson, Adalyne and Robert Richardson Jr. at driver intros
Credit: Charlotte Bray/Skirts and Scuffs
The story of Bryson's F.U.E.L has touched our hearts since day one. Little Bryson's fight against cancer is nothing short of inspirational. Instead of asking "why me and why our son?" Heather and Jim Smith acted fast forming F.U.E.L. which stands for Families United to Eliminate Leukemia.

That's the motto of life in Charlotte, N.C. - life in the fast lane. After all, NASCAR does call Charlotte home. F.U.E.L.'s ties to NASCAR are endless, from Bryson's dad Jimmy being the fabricator of the RCR Racing Camaro, to mom Heather working with NASCAR teams when tear offs were added to windshields.

Now the NASCAR community supports F.U.E.L, rallying around like the wonderful family NASCAR drivers are.

It started with Childress putting the F.U.E.L. logo stickers on all the team cars and trucks weeks ago as Kentucky. Tri-Star Motorsports ran the logos, Nelson Piquet Jr. and now... well a picture speaks volumes.

Credit: Charlotte Bray/Skirts and Scuffs 
R3 Motorsports driver Robert Richardson Jr. graciously contacted the Smiths offering to run a F.U.E.L. paint scheme at their home track of Charlotte Motor Speedway. While everyone else is turning pink for breast cancer awareness, Richardson's orange paint scheme stood out. Featuring the handprints of over 100 young cancer-stricken children, the moment the finished car hit the track, emotions were high. That car is not just about a charity, it is about children who fight cancer on a daily basis and sadly, it also memorializes those that have lost their battles.

While you may not have seen or heard much about the car from TV coverage, since the focus was on breast cancer awareness, the facts for childhood cancer deserve a call to action.
Bryson posing in his F.U.E.L. firesuit.
Credit: Charlotte Bray/Skirts and Scuffs

  • Each day 46 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed.
  • Cure rates are increasing but 35% of childhood cancer patients will die.
  • Childhood cancer remains the number one silent killer among children - more than genetic anomalies, cystic fibrosis, and AIDS combined.

This is why F.U.E.L and their F.U.E.L. Fighters rally for awareness. Children are more than statistics. Each little boy or girl has a full life ahead of him or her and we need to do our part to make it happen. 

Richardson finished the night in 20th, with no trophy or visit to victory lane, but a winner in so many hearts and eyes. That is a feeling that no trophy can replace.
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On a personal note, I have the extreme pleasure of working with F.U.E.L. on a daily basis. Watching their grassroots efforts grow in the past year is nothing short of amazing. The dedication of Heather, Jim and all the F.U.E.L. Fighters is overwhelming. From fundraising with their character Band-Aid drive to sales of Stephanie Calinoff jewels, they continually give back. In the coming months big things are planned, including an online auction and once again F.U.E.L. Fighters can get involved by donating items for the hospital gift baskets. For more information please visit www.brysonsfuel.org or visit them on Facebook and Twitter
A mission run on F.U.E.L. A mission run on F.U.E.L. Reviewed by Unknown on Saturday, October 13, 2012 Rating: 5