France family makes special visit, honored at gala – Nascar

NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and his wife Amy were front and center at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone on April 26, visiting with patients and taking in a race of a different kind — the pinewood derby variety.
 

Yes, racing runs deep in the France family roots. So does charity. Wednesday’s visit illustrates a deep relationship with helping children.
 

Last year, The NASCAR Foundation announced plans to donate $1 million to Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone as part of a multi-year partnership to enhance the delivery of medical care to children. Since that time, The NASCAR Foundation has supported the Child Life Program to minimize the emotional stress on children when enduring illness, injury and medical treatments.
 

“When you come to this kind of treatment center and hospital and see the good work they’re doing, it moves you. It just does,” Brian France said.
 

“We met this entire group of people last fall at a (NASCAR) Foundation event. We committed at that time to be a part of their treatment center for children going forward, and here we are getting the tour and meeting the kids. We’re happy to be here.”
 

It’s The NASCAR Foundation’s first multi-year partnership with NYU Langone Medical Center and marks its commitment to reach more kids nationally. NASCAR’s charitable arm has donated more than $30 million and impacted more than one million children since its inception in 2006.
 | Learn more about The NASCAR Foundation’s Speediatrics Children’s Fund

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Matt Tifft joined the Frances, rolling up his sleeves and pitching in on building an entry into the pinewood derby — No. 19, of course, to match his entry for Joe Gibbs Racing. The event perhaps had special meaning for the 20-year-old Tifft, a member of the 2016-17 NASCAR Next class.
 

Last year Tifft put his racing career — and life — on hold after doctors discovered a tumor on his brain. Successful surgery on July 1 removed the brain tumor, which was benign, as Tifft learned first-hand the importance of world-class care.
 

The Frances and The NASCAR Foundation also were honored at the KiDS of NYU Langone Springfling Gala on April 27 for their tireless commitment in improving the lives of children.
 

Brian France and Amy France represented The NASCAR Foundation at the gala. Together, they are continuing the legacy of Betty Jane France, Brian’s mother, who created the vision for the Speediatrics Children’s Fund, a program of The NASCAR Foundation to enhance the delivery of high-quality medical care to needy children across the country.
 

Further carrying on the tradition of the France family’s legacy of giving back, Brian and Amy France spend much of their personal time driving progress on issues that threaten the health and wellness of children. The Frances personally partner with dozens of world-class charitable organization, have been honored for their contributions to pediatric cancer and work tirelessly to combat a wide-range of issues related to disease, poverty, abuse and education.
 

“You feel a stronger pull toward helping these children and doing something small to put some cheer into their life by supporting a world-class facility such as NYU Langone,” said Amy France during the visit.