Mandan’s Dacotah Speedway partnered with the Bismarck Cancer Center for the annual Drive to Survive Event.
Dacotah Speedway approached the cancer center with the idea of the benefit. All of the proceeds went to the cancer center foundation.
"The Bismarck Cancer Center is a radiation treatment center, so we treat cancer. And then the foundation was founded about five years ago to offer other assistance to those suffering from cancer at the foundation here," Bismarck Cancer Center's marketing director Sara Kelsch said. "The money goes towards providing lodging assistance, travel assistance, therapies and a lot of the things that are not covered by insurance. And also if the patient can't afford treatment the money is used to help them pay for the treatment; no one has ever been turned away."
More than 10 racecars were in the event. Also on display was Vivian, a pink fire truck that travels across the state raising awareness of women fighting against cancer. The truck belongs to the North Dakota Chapter of Guardians of Ribbon. Tracy Driscoll is the President of the organization.
"She travels all over North Dakota just raising awareness, going to events to bring people there to have them honor their loved ones; whether they win, whether they lose we want to honor them. So we have them sign the truck," Driscoll said.
Driscoll said she lost her mom to cancer. She claims many people find comfort in knowing many people are going through similar situations.
"I look and I see all these other people that have lost loved ones. There are children's names on here, there are other people who have lost their kids, their parents and whatnot," Driscoll said. "It's a comforting feeling people knowing you are not alone. There are other people out there that have fought and won or fought and lost."
Driscoll said the truck was unveiled on Mother’s Day.
