A generous donation to the Norma Mae
Huggins Cancer Endowment Fund from Auto Round-Up Publications will enhance
cancer care and treatment at the West Virginia University Cancer Institute.
Auto Round-Up Publisher Ron Smith and
Vice President Shaun Smith were invited to an exclusive meeting in Morgantown with
WVU Men’s Basketball Head Coach Bob Huggins to present their donation check to
the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment Fund.
“We are lucky, fortunate and, most
importantly, very blessed to have survived in our publishing industry, and we
wanted to do something to help contribute to what we consider the best charity
cause in West Virginia,” Shaun Smith said.
“I’m so grateful for supporters like
Ron and Shaun,” Huggins said. “With their help, we can ensure cancer patients get
outstanding treatment right here in West Virginia, without having to drive out
of state for the care they need to beat cancer. Thank you so much.”
Coach Huggins is a legendary college
basketball coach with more than 900 wins and a long list of other accomplishments
and achievements. He will likely make his mark in the Basketball Hall of Fame one
day, but his cancer charity is forever cemented into the roots of West Virginia.
The endowment he established in memory of his late mother is a driving force in
battling an awful disease that has affected nearly every American in some way,
shape or form.
“West Virginia has one of the highest cancer
death rates in the nation, and we need to do something about it,” Huggins said.
“What if we were able to find the cure for cancer right here in West
Virginia?”
Cory Chambers, director of development
for the WVU Foundation, was also in attendance during the meeting. He has
played an instrumental role in helping to grow the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer
Endowment Fund.
“Your donation helps the WVU Cancer
Institute grow to provide a brighter future for cancer patients in West
Virginia,” Chambers said. “Every little bit counts, and we are very
appreciative of your contribution.”
Ron Smith and his son, Shaun, enjoyed
their time with Huggins during the meeting, where they swapped stories and
shared many laughs. They hope to continue to find ways to support Coach
Huggins’ great cause.
“Coach Huggins’ suggestion that we
could find a cure for cancer right here in West Virginia hit me hard and means
so much to me,” Shaun Smith said. “I think we can all find a way to assist, and
I believe we can get more businesses and individuals to help contribute to Coach
Huggins’ wonderful mission. Let’s beat cancer!”
Each year, the Bob Huggins Fish Fry is
held to help raise funds for the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment Fund as
well as the Remember the Minors Flagship Scholars Program. Hosted in Morgantown at Mylan Park each
February, it is a spectacular event that welcomes fans, friends and cancer
patients to enjoy great company and delicious food. Presented by Little General
Stores, this year’s event marks a milestone 10th anniversary and is slated for
February 18 — a special fundraiser outing that promises to be a slam dunk
adventure and is projected to be the biggest and most successful Fish Fry ever.
Purchase tickets for the 10th annual Bob Huggins Fish Fry or learn more at www.bobhugginsfishfry.com.
About Auto Round-Up
Auto Round-Up Publications was founded
in 1974 by Ron Smith and is a second-generation, local family-owned and
operated business whose headquarters is in Jane Lew. The company publishes 12
collector vehicle magazine titles, a website that features classic cars for
sale, and editorials including car show coverage, automotive history, how-to
tech tips and much more. Auto Round-Up is an industry leader and is
considered by many to be a very valuable resource when it comes to pricing the
value of cars in the hobby. Auto Round-Up is the largest magazine publisher in
West Virginia with a circulation of over 300,000 copies distributed to over
25,000 retail locations nationwide each month. Over a period of 47 years, this
publishing company has released nearly 2,000 issues and helped save or sell
over 1 million classic cars and trucks throughout the collector automobile
hobby, but more importantly has helped bring members of the hobby together,
while also influencing others to join the collector vehicle hobby through car
clubs located all over the world. Most of these car clubs are nonprofit
organizations whose efforts include helping raise funds for cancer,
osteoporosis, and AIDS research, The Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish
Foundation, veterans organizations, 4-H programs, and Boy Scouts of America
projects, as well as many other charity causes. To learn more, visit www.autoroundup.com.
About Norma Mae
Huggins Cancer Endowment Fund
Philanthropic support from committed friends
like WVU Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Huggins is playing a key role in advancing
the fight against cancer. On May 24, 2003, Norma Mae Huggins, mother of
Coach Huggins, passed away after a long battle with colon cancer. In her memory,
the coach established the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment at the WVU Cancer
Institute. The Endowment Fund supports patient care and clinical cancer
research that targets many types of the disease that are common among residents
of the Mountain State. West Virginia has one of the highest cancer
mortality rates in the nation. The WVU Cancer Institute understands that many
cancers can be managed, and even cured, if they are caught and treated as early
as possible. Generous donors like Huggins and his family allow us to offer our
patients and families from West Virginia and surrounding areas the same new
treatment options found in larger cancer centers across the country. These
donations directly help patients receive the best possible patient care close
to home. The efforts of Coach Huggins and the commitments of hundreds of others
continue to bolster his fund. As of 2021, over $8 million has been raised for
the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment. All proceeds stay in West Virginia. To
learn more, visit www.bobhugginsfishfry.com.