Big Ass Fans Donates 5% of Kentucky Sales for Cancer Center
Posted: September 10, 2015 in Suppliers
Big Ass Fans
LEXINGTON, KY – Big Ass Fans will donate 5% of all Kentucky sales to help finish raising funds for a state-of-the-art cancer treatment suite at the University of Kentucky’s Markey Cancer Center. The new radiation implant suite will provide comprehensive care for cancer patients using brachytherapy, an advanced form of treatment that delivers radioactive implants directly into cancerous tissue.
While UK HealthCare’s Markey Cancer Center offers brachytherapy services, the equipment is in need of updates and the treatment process involves transporting patients between three buildings, producing significant limitations for scheduling and efficiency. This new suite will bring top-quality cancer care under one roof, as well as add a range of new, state-of-the-art surgical equipment.
“Giving back has always been a part of Big Ass Fans’ mission, and this new suite is a must-have for the Markey Cancer Center,” said Founder and Chief Big Ass Carey Smith. “This upgrade will help save lives and benefit the entire region.”
Big Ass Fans has partnered with Ironcology (Ironcology.org), a fundraising organization founded by UK Radiation Oncologist Dr. Jonathan Feddock. He has raised funds for the new suite through Ironman®-style triathlons, which include a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run. Feddock starts in last place and secures pledges based on how many athletes he bests in the races – the more athletes he catches, the higher the donations.
“I started Ironcology because I saw it as my responsibility as a physician to ensure that we [UK] are offering the best treatments available to our patients. I recognized that our current services, although successful, had significant room for improvement. What started out as a publicity stunt to drive larger capital donors turned out to be a very successful crowd-funding campaign,” Feddock said.
Big Ass Fans’ involvement in the project started when Smith and Feddock met at a recent race event sponsored by Big Ass Fans. Smith offered to raise the remaining $25,000 needed for the new suite.
All Kentucky sales of Big Ass Fans and Big Ass Light products, including the company’s Haiku residential ceiling fan and the Garage Light LED fixture, qualify for the donation program until the goal has been reached. Learn more about the company’s products for industrial, commercial and residential spaces at www.bigassfans.com.
Feddock and his Ironcology organization operate in partnership with the UK Markey Cancer Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, where 100 percent of his fundraising dollars have been directed to patient care. Markey is the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center, providing services to the majority of Central and Eastern Kentucky, including parts of Ohio, West Virginia and Tennessee.
