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Truex Jr. steers support to cancer patients

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Glendale Star Executive Editor

To Martin Truex Jr., racing in the NASCAR circuit means more than jockeying between competitors.

The New Jersey native and his longtime partner, Sherry Pollex, use his position to support the community with causes like ovarian and childhood cancers.

“We were so fortunate as kids to be healthy and to have great families and access to things to be successful,” Truex Jr. said. “We felt very fortunate, and we do our part to help give back to kids.”

Truex Jr. and Pollex established the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation in 2007, which started as a way to help children in need.

In 2014, Pollex was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer and the couple refocused their mission to raise awareness, boost advocacy and generate fi nancial support for underfunded cancer initiatives specifi c to childhood and ovarian cancers.

Pollex’s cancer recurred in December, according to her Instagram.

“Unfortunately, my cancer is back (which is expected with Stage 3C recurrent ovarian cancer as the cancer begins to outsmart the drugs we are on),” Pollex said in her posted message, which included photos of her and Truex Jr. in her hospital room. “So here I am going to battle again.

“Praying my doctors can remove all of the disease so I can start chemo again soon and be out there fi ghting for all of you soon! Much love to all of you out there fi ghting or caring for a loved one that is.”

The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation recently broke ground on pediatric emergency department at Novant Health in Huntersville, North Carolina. NBC Sports reported the foundation is well known within racing circles for its Catwalk for a Cause in Statesville, North Carolina. It has steered $600,000 toward cancer initiatives at Atrium Health and Novant Health in Charlotte.

The foundation and Pollex’s organization, Sherry Strong, celebrated the grand opening of the Sherry Strong Integrative Medicine Oncology Clinic at Novant Health’s new Weisinger Cancer Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Truex Jr. will put rubber to the road on Saturday, Nov. 6, during the NASCAR Xfi nity Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. Truex Jr. won the fi rst race of the 2021 season in Avondale in March.

“That was my fi rst win at the track,” he said. “I always feel like it’s a good track for me. It was one of my better tracks until they repaved it in 2011.”

Then known as Phoenix International Raceway, the track was repaved into a reconfi gured 1-mile oval for about $10 million.

“It’s been hit or miss since they repaved it,” said Truex Jr., the driver of the No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing. “The last couple of years have been tough on us. We’re defi nitely feeling really good about it now.”

Besides Avondale, he won Martinsville I, Darlington 1 and Richmond II this season. He is one of seven Cup Series drivers to have won multiple races this year (Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott).

For the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series, which starts at the Daytona 500, fans will see cars that are more cost effective for teams and safer for drivers. It will also reportedly intensify the quality of racing,

“It’s going to be a big learning curve for us,” he said. “The new car is so different, compared to what we’ve done in the past. It’ll be interesting.”

Martin Truex Jr. uses his position to support the community with causes like ovarian and childhood cancers. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

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MEMBER RENEWALS

The Glendale Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following members for their support of the chamber and our community.

One year: 2020

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car • Big O Tires • Scott Repman’s Truck & Auto Repair | Glendale • Throne Brewing | Glendale • Department of Economic Security | Division of Developmental Disabilities • Taqueria Obregon • New Deal Pre-Owned Autos

Two years: 2019

• RoadRunner Auto Transport • BHHS Legacy Foundation • Green Wade Mobile Blasting

M-F 8-5 • MooreGraphicsAZ.com 11200 W. Wisconsin Ave. • Youngtown, AZ 85363 • 623-972-8161Engineering Copies Print & Scan Color or B/W Engineering Copies Print & Scan Color or B/W

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M-F 8-5 • MooreGraphicsaZ.coM

M-F 8-5 • MooreGraphicsaZ.coM11200 W. Wisconsin Ave. • Youngtown, AZ 85363 • 623.972.8161

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Three years: 2018

• Veterans IV Veterans Motorcycle Association

Four years: 2017

• Stir Crazy Comedy Club • AZ Family Dental • Urban Margarita

Five years: 2016

• Stewart Law Group

Six years: 2015

• Kiwanis Club of Westgate • Clear Cut Glass

Seven years: 2014

• Arizona Procurement Technical Assistant Center (AZPTAC) • One Step Beyond • U-Haul of Western Arizona

Eight years: 2013

• Liberty Mutual Insurance

Nine years: 2012

• Larry H. Miller Dodge Ram Avondale

10 years: 2011

• Arizona Complete Candy & Tobacco

12 years: 2009

• Keist Thurston O’Brien Law

14 years: 2007

• Comfort Suites Glendale

18 years: 2003

• Manuel’s Fine Mexican Food No. 5

EVENTS

The Glendale Chamber of Commerce hosts a variety of events each month to help the business community build stronger connections. We invite you or a member from your team to join us at one of these upcoming events. For more information or to register, visit glendaleazchamber.org or call 623-937-4754.

FUEL

7 to 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 5 Desert Rose Pizza & Gastropub, 6729 N. 57th Drive, Glendale

Virtual Annual Auction Fundraiser

Friday, Nov. 5, to Sunday, Nov. 14 Visit: glendaleazchamber.org/ annual-auction

Marketing Webinar: Holiday Marketing Tips

Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9 Zoom; link will be emailed to those registered

Business Over Breakfast

7 to 9 a.m. Wednesdays Nov. 10, and Nov. 17 Charley’s Sports Grill, 8110 W. Union Hills Drive, Suite 350, Glendale

Business After Hours

Glendale Chamber’s auction raises much-needed funds

BY GLENDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Join the chamber from noon Friday, Nov. 5, to noon Sunday, Nov. 14, for its annual auction.

As a not-for-profi t organization, the chamber relies on the annual auction to support its programs. This year it features fabulous items such as vacation packages, gift cards, electronics and toys, etc.— all just in time for the holidays.

For more information, visit glendaleazchamber.org/ annual-auction.

NEW MEMBERS

The Glendale Chamber of Commerce welcomes the following members and extends a heartfelt thank-you for their support of the chamber and our community.

Big Dave’s Barbershop 623-289-7137

DataFast 623-486-9200

Haldi Indian Cuisine 623-440-8150

Moore Graphics 623-972-8161 Offi ce of U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly 602-671-7901

RNR Tire Express 602-805-TIRE (8493)

ThrivePoint High School | Union Hills 602-843-3077

Twisted Sugar | Westgate 623-248-8584

Walmart e-Commerce Fulfi llment Center PHX1 602-760-4534

Mission:

The Glendale Chamber serves the business community as the voice of commerce, provides programs and services to improve the economic environment for its members, and supplies leadership for improving the quality of life. For area residents and newcomers, the Glendale Chamber is a reliable source for community information and a dependable resource for business referrals.

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Glendale Chamber welcomes McPhearson to its team

BY GLENDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Jody McPhearson has joined the Glendale Chamber of Commerce’s investor relations team.

Born in Chicago, McPhearson is the oldest of four children. Soon after graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during Desert Storm. He is a third-generation Army war veteran.

He is a graduate of Buckeye Leadership Academy Class VIII. A TEDx speaker, McPhearson is a licensed minister who founded the nonprofi t Three C’s Youth Project. The local business owner also co-founded the nonprofi t You’re Loved.

McPhearson is also a past board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Young Professionals, Black Board of Directors Project, Scottsdale YMCA, Youth Development chair, Buckeye Outreach for Social Services youth director, ambassador for Susan G. Komen, Youth Development chair for the Leadership Council of Opportunities for Youth, and a speaker and trainer for Feed My Starving Children.

McPhearson and his wife of 20 years, Kristine, have two sons they are raising as diehard Cubs fans.

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Ph.: (623) 872-2900 Cell: (602) 769-3707 Fax: (623) 975-5306

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Email: Sue@CoolBlew.com www.CoolBlew.com

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Celebrating over 25 years of service

PRITCHARD GROUP INC. INSURANCE

5800 W Glenn Dr, Ste 275 Glendale, AZ 85301 Phone 623.435.5455 Toll Free: 800.606.0102 Fax: 623.435.5471 mjpccr@pritchardgroupinsurance.com www.pritchardgroupinsurance.com Auto | Home | Business | Health

Mary J. Pritchard

President