Dealership helps fight breast cancer

Ever dream of driving a sleek BMW X3 or getting behind the wheel of a sporty BMW M Coupe?
Thursday at the Preston Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep-BMW Inc. in Warren you can experience this "sheer driving pleasure" and help fight breast cancer at the same time.
The BMW Ultimate Drive will be taking place at the Preston dealership on Youngstown Road SE from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participants can chose from 18 different BMW models that they can drive over a set route.
"For every mile that people drive, BMW of North America will donate $1 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation," explains Rick Joseph, sales manager at Preston.
The Susan G. Komen Foundation is a national organization founded by the sister of Susan Komen.
Nancy Brinker promised Susan, before she died at the age of 36, she would do everything possible to end breast cancer.
Funds raised from Komen events pay for mammograms and medical assistance for women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Locally, more than 3,000 women benefit every year from funds raised by the foundation, which focuses on early detection.
Dealership's aid
With such strong local ties to the foundation, Kevin Leya, owner of the Preston dealership, decided it was appropriate to bring the Ultimate Drive back to the area.
The last Ultimate Drive was held in 1998.
That was the same year that Karen Sullivan of Warren was detected with breast cancer. Early detection was the key to Karen's successful recovery.
"My breast cancer was detected in a mammogram," Karen explains.
"There were three little pin points. I couldn't feel a thing."
The three pin points in her breast were the start of cancer. Within four weeks of her mammogram, the cells had been removed and Karen was undergoing radiation treatments.
"I had been taking care of my parents," Karen recalls the events of her life at the time. It would have been easy for her to cancel her scheduled mammogram appointment. "Even while you're taking care of other people, you need to take care of yourself."
Karen's daughter Kate is grateful her mother took time for herself.
"When Mom was diagnosed with cancer, I went into panic mode," Kate says frankly.
"I realized for the first time Mom's not superwoman. I could lose her."
"I thank God every day that they caught it early enough," Kate shares. "Early detection creates a whole new life for a person."
Awareness advocate
Ever since her bout with cancer in 1998, Karen has dedicated her "new life" in support of breast cancer events.
"She is an avid supporter for the Relay for Life," Rick says. "Every year, she'll come into the dealership and get us all to donate."
Along with her bubbly personality, Karen brings baked goods.
"Nobody can tell her no when she bakes for us," Rick admits with a laugh.
It is her love of life and dedication to the eradication of breast cancer that prompted the Preston dealership to name Karen as the Local Hero for the BMW Ultimate Drive event. She will be on hand all day for photo opportunities, serving punch and cookies and making sure every driver signs the BMW signature car, covered with the names of drivers from all over the country.
"I don't consider myself a hero," Karen readily protests. "With early detection, surgery and radiation, I was fine. It was the people that came before me that are the true heroes."
Kate doesn't see it that way. Due in February with her and her husband Jamie's first child, Kate cannot imagine experiencing this event without her mother. "Cancer is cancer. My mom is a hero."
The BMW Ultimate Drive is a fun way to support all the heroes of breast cancer.
XThe Preston BMW Ultimate Drive will be held Thursday at 3843 Youngstown Road SE (Route 422). To schedule a car ahead of time, go to bmwusa.com/theultimatedrive or call 1-877-4ADRIVE.