In an effort to help support children and families dealing with issues resulting from pediatric cancer, the American Le Mans Series has partnered with the Austin Hatcher Foundation as an official charity of the Series. Continuing in 2009, the Series and the Austin Hatcher Foundation are focused on raising $250,000 to benefit children and families dealing with pediatric cancer.

During the next five years, the American Le Mans Series will raise money and awareness for the Austin Hatcher Foundation through direct donations, Web and trackside merchandise sales, online race memorabilia, auctions, sales of limited-production American Le Mans Series/Austin Hatcher Foundation co-branded gear and through trackside diversionary therapy events centered around selected races.

“Just as the American Le Mans Series plays a role in the advancements of today’s road-going automobiles, the Austin Hatcher Foundation makes a difference in the lives of thousands of children and their parents each and every year,” said Series President and CEO Scott Atherton. “No one can truly grasp the impact of pediatric cancer on families, and helping them cope with such a devastating disease is a very worthy goal. That is why the American Le Mans Series is proud to stand alongside the Austin Hatcher Foundation. We are anxious to support the cause of helping to improve childhood cancer research and the outlook for an eventual cure.”

During each season, many of the world’s top sports car drivers will visit pediatric wards in various race markets nationwide to directly interact and support the children with pediatric cancer and their families.

The Austin Hatcher Foundation was founded by Dr. Jim Osborn and wife Amy Jo after the loss of their two-month-old son “Hatch” to a rare form of cancer.

“With the success rate of current treatment reaching 80 percent, much of the worldwide focus in pediatric cancer treatment is now on the long-term recovery from the negative effects the toxic treatments have on the children and their families,” Dr. Osborn said. “We are excited to partner with the American Le Mans Series in the establishment of landmark programs that will affect pediatric cancer care worldwide.”