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Black Tie International: Mercedes-Benz
Gives to a McDreamy Cause |
Mercedes-Benz Gives to a McDreamy Cause
Making a Difference at The Patrick Dempsey
Center for
Cancer Hope & Healing with Mercedes-Benz
BlueTEC
Clean Diesel Donation
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Mercedes-Benz donated an
R320 BlueTEC clean diesel vehicle to The Patrick
Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing in
Lewiston, Maine during the inaugural Dempsey
Challenge with the goal of making a difference in
the safety and comfort of transporting those
receiving cancer care and bringing down the
organization’s fuel costs.
The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing
serves multiple cancer treatment facilities,
including The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Central
Maine Medical Center (CMCC) and affiliated cancer
clinics at Bridgton and Rumford Hospitals, making
transportation assistance an integral part of the
free support, education and wellness services it
provides to cancer patients, survivors and
caregivers.
The Dempsey Center currently assists cancer patients
who are having difficulty with transportation to
treatment by linking them with the American Cancer
Society’s “Road to Recovery” program as well as
other area transportation resources. “Despite the
existence of these programs, a fair number of cancer
patients still fall through the cracks,” according
to Kerry Irish, Program Director of The Dempsey
Center. “Some services require that a patient meet
certain age or income requirements, and others rely
upon volunteer drivers. Coverage in the outlying,
rural areas is spotty at best.”
In response to this need, ConnectShuttle was created
in 2008, establishing a free transportation service
between Bridgton Hospital and Central Maine Medical
Center. Nearly 400 patients have been served by
ConnectShuttle since its inception and it’s
particularly valuable to patients undergoing daily
radiation therapy, a treatment which lasts for 4-6
weeks. According to Laird Covey, President of CMMC,
“the donation of the Mercedes vehicle allows the
ConnectShuttle service to expand its coverage,
providing vital assistance to the hundreds of
patients who travel from the rural Rumford/Mexico
area to CMMC for radiation therapy and other
services.”
“The center provides a warm, healthy, and inviting
environment for cancer patients and caregivers and
we wanted to build on that by offering safe and
comfortable transportation to and from the clinics,”
says Patrick Dempsey. “Area residents will benefit
for many years thanks to Mercedes-Benz generous
donation.”
The six-passenger Mercedes-Benz R320 BlueTEC is one
of today’s modern diesel vehicles that are extremely
quiet, environmentally clean, and can achieve a
range of 500 miles on a single tank of diesel fuel
and a 20-30 percent fuel economy over a comparable
gasoline engine.
Mercedes-Benz, a sponsor of the Dempsey Challenge 5k
run/walk event, will have the R320 BlueTEC clean
diesel on display at the start of the race and is
using ML450 Hybrid SUVs as support vehicles for the
weekend’s festivities.
“Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC vehicles make a difference
for drivers every day by providing better fuel
economy and we felt this benefit could be extended
for a good cause.” says Lisa Holladay, Manager of
Brand Experience Marketing at Mercedes-Benz USA.
“Ultimately this vehicle will provide better
support for cancer patients and caregivers at the
Dempsey Center and that’s the most important benefit
of all.”
About BlueTEC Clean Diesel
According to the EPA, the nation would save 1.4
million barrels of oil a day if just one third of
all light-duty vehicles in the USA were
state-of-the-art diesel vehicles. Owners of new
clean diesel vehicles are also eligible for the same
alternative-powertrain tax credit as hybrids. The
current IRS Diesel Tax Credits for owners of a 2009
Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC are $1,800 for the GL320;
$1,550 for the R320; and $900 for the ML320.
The BlueTEC vehicles combine Mercedes-Benz highest
standards in luxury and safety features with a
smooth, quiet ride that delivers 20-30 percent
higher fuel economy than a comparable gasoline
engine. BlueTEC clean diesel vehicles have become
the GREEN choice for several celebrities including
Kim Cattrall, Patrick Dempsey, Liv Tyler, Molly
Sims, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jeremy Piven, Naomi
Watts and Liev Schreiber.
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in
Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales,
marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz
and Maybach products in the United States. MBUSA
offers drivers the most diverse line-up in the
luxury segment with 12 model lines ranging from the
sporty C-Class to the flagship S-Class sedans and CL
coupes. More information on MBUSA and its products
can be found at
www.mbusa.comand
www.maybachusa.com.
About the Dempsey Challenge
Established by actor of the popular show Grey’s
Anatomy and Lewiston, Maine, native Patrick Dempsey,
the inaugural Dempsey Challenge is expected to draw
thousands of participants to support the cause, as
well as professional cyclists George Hincapie, a
five-time Olympian, and David Zabriskie, who holds
the record for fastest time trial in Tour de France
history. A weekend filled with health, fitness and
heartfelt support, The Dempsey Challenge includes
10, 25, 50 and 100 mile cycling routes, a 5k
run/walk and Kids’ Fun Run, along with a day-long
Festival in the Park that will provide family
entertainment and raise cancer awareness. More
information can be found at
www.dempseychallenge.org
About The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope &
Healing
Founded in March 2008, The Patrick Dempsey Center
for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical
Center provides high-quality education, support and
wellness services at no cost to cancer patients and
their caregivers. During its first year, the Dempsey
Center had over 6,000 direct patient contacts and
served over 2,000 on its toll-free cancer helpline.
More information can be found at:
www.dempseycenter.org
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please contact:
joyce@blacktiemagazine.com |
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