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Drive for donations
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CRUISING: Cancer survivor Dee Pernotto of Campbell test-drives a convertible as part of the BMW Ultimate Drive. The event was Monday at Preston BMW in Warren. BMW donates money to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization for breast cancer awareness, research and treatment for every mile driven.
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Teresa Kickland of Newton Falls was named the BMW Local Hero at the Preston BMW dealership in Warren on Monday for her advocacy of breast cancer awareness and prevention.
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BMW Ultimate Drive at Preston BMW in Warren
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BMW Ultimate Drive at Preston BMW in Warren
By SHELBY SCHROEDER
BMW, Komen team up in the fight against cancer
Undergoing daily chemotherapy treatments four years ago, Teresa Kirkland said she was embarrassed to admit she had breast cancer. Now she drives a car emblazoned with the disease she conquered, proudly leading a pack of white and pink BMWs.
1Kirkland was named the BMW Local Hero at the Preston BMW dealership in Warren on Monday for her advocacy of breast cancer awareness and prevention. In its 12th year, the BMW Ultimate Drive is being held to raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization. Every year, a local hero is nominated at each participating BMW location, and this year 210 dealers from across the nation have joined the fundraiser.
Being named the region’s hero by Komen’s Northeast Ohio board of directors is testament to Kirkland’s struggle to survive and speak out.
“You never really think about it until it happens to you,” Kirkland said. “One of the reasons I want to be here is to go out and talk to the newly diagnosed.”
After discovering a lump in one of her breasts at age 40, Kirkland, of Newton Falls, underwent daily doses of chemo for six weeks, losing her hair and fighting to “keep on a strong face” for her young daughter.
After treatment, Kirkland decided to volunteer for Komen and the American Cancer Society. Now, she meets with people facing the disease to share what resources are available to them.
She also gets to know the people.
“I listen,” she said. “That’s one of the biggest things you can do for them.”
Komen volunteer Brit Gardiner, 52, of Chagrin Falls, helped organize Warren’s BMW Ultimate Drive. She presented Kirkland with a plaque in honor of her service, as well as a gift for the vice president of Preston BMW, Kevin Leya.
“I’m always grateful to Kevin that he steps up — this event is awfully expensive,” Gardiner said.
This is the fifth year Leya has volunteered to clear his sales floor and offer his employees for Komen. Instead of making direct attempts to sell cars, salespeople at the dealership allow guests to choose which Komen-decorated model they would like to drive the 14-mile route around the city. The catch — for BMW, not the test drivers — is that for each of those 14 miles, the dealership donates $1 to Komen.
Guests become monetary donors by just driving, though no money ever leaves their pockets.
This year alone, Komen estimates that more than $1 million will be raised collectively by all of the Ultimate Drive locations.
“It’s been a great turnout,” said Leya, of New Castle, Pa. “We get between 125 and 150 people [for test drives] each year.”
He said that many people will test-drive multiple cars, adding dollars to the cause.
Though the event was full of thrilled drivers, many of whom have never cruised in a BMW before, the dealership was not short of a few tears and hugs.
Judy Adkinson, 38, of Salem, came to the event after hearing about it at work.
“This is wonderful,” Adkinson said. “There aren’t a lot of places you can go, meet people and feel kind of proud.”
Gardiner hugged her. The two both know what it’s like to survive breast cancer.
During Kirkland’s lap around the city in a car valued just under $90,000, she explained why the Ultimate Drive is one of many events she feels passionately about.
“We’re standing up to cancer, and we’re going to do whatever we can to fight it,” Kirkland said. “The stronger we stand, the more our voice is going to be heard.”
No longer embarrassed that she once had cancer, she honks the horn and waves at people in surrounding cars and on their lawns and sidewalks.
“I’ll let everybody know,” she said.
The fleet of BMWs is headed to Akron next, where the Ultimate Drive will continue raising money across America.
sschroeder@vindy.com