Last Chance to Vote for 2012 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Nominee Lorri Unumb
November 26, 2012
Deadline to vote is Nov. 29; Winner to be announced at NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony on Nov. 30
DARLINGTON,SC – November 26, 2012 – Hurry! Only a few days remain to cast yourvote for The NASCAR Foundation’s 2012 Betty Jane France HumanitarianAward finalist Lorri Unumb.
Through November 29, 2012 (midnightET), the NASCAR community can cast their vote for Unumb by logging onto NASCAR.com/Award. The finalist who receives the most votes during thisperiod will be declared the national winner, and will be announced byFrance live on stage during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AwardsCeremony at Wynn Las Vegas on November 30. The victor also will win a2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Unumb, a Lexington, SC native andformer Miss Southern 500 Pageant winner, was named a finalist for hertireless efforts in raising awareness for autism, most notably forcreating “Ryan’s Law,” a bill that mandates health insurance coveragefor children diagnosed with autism by a physician.
“Ryan’s Law”is named after her 11-year-old son, Ryan Unumb, who was diagnosed withautism just before his second birthday. Since that time, Unumb and herhusband, Dan, were fortunate in that they could afford the necessarycare to provide Ryan with the therapy needed to assist him with acondition that affects 1 in 88 children in the United States today.
Unumbunderstood, however, that many people did not have the financialresources they themselves were blessed with to help their children withautism, and insurance providers did not cover expenses associated withautism; therefore, Unumb put pen to paper to create “Ryan’s Law,” whichrequires that health insurance companies cover treatment for childrendiagnosed with autism.
“I was fortunate in that my husband and Icould afford and do the things necessary to provide Ryan with the carehe needed,” she said. “It wasn’t always easy, and we’ve had to make sometough choices and sacrifices along the way, and it dawned on me thatmany people who were less fortunate than we are needed help with gettingthe necessary care for their kids with autism. That’s why I wroteRyan’s Law, to give those children less fortunate the opportunity toaccess the treatment prescribed by their doctors.”
Unumb firstworked on the law in South Carolina and has since tackled 31 otherstates with a goal of getting all 50 to pass the law that puts childrenwith autism on an equal playing field with children affected by otherhealth conditions.
It is a goal that she is destined to achievewith sheer grit and determination that made her a successful lawyer andadvocate for autism in her now-current position as vice president ofstate government affairs for Autism Speaks.
Additionally, sheco-founded the Autism Academy of South Carolina with her husband Dan in2009, giving children with autism in her hometown of Lexington and thesurrounding Columbia, S.C. area an opportunity to access high-qualitytherapy and therefore acquire the skills necessary to succeed andprosper in everyday life on their own.
Unumb is well on her wayto achieving her goal of getting all 50 states to pass Ryan’s Law.Winning the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award would provide thenecessary funding to continue her endeavors and grow the Autism Academyof South Carolina, which has increased its student attendance by 75percent since it opened its doors in 2011.
“The NASCARFoundation, through the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, hascreated a platform for autism awareness and offers the financialopportunity to make a real difference in the lives of South Carolinianswho struggle with autism,” Unumb said. “And when it comes to autisminsurance reform, my goal is to get all 50 states to pass Ryan’s Law,and I won’t stop until that is accomplished.”
Four finalistshave been chosen for the 2012 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award — anannual honor that recognizes philanthropic endeavors of passionateNASCAR fans who have made a profound impact in their local community.Ron Eby (Windham, Maine), Michael Jackson (Duluth, Minn.), Ali McDonough(Wilmington, Del.) and Unumb are the national finalists who willreceive a minimum of $25,000 from The NASCAR Foundation toward theirrespective charities. One overall winner, as determined by online votingon NASCAR.com/Award, will be awarded $100,000. The BJFHA honors theunwavering commitment that The NASCAR Foundation Chairwoman Betty JaneFrance has demonstrated with her philanthropic and community efforts.
Ticketsto the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 on May 11 andNationwide Series 200 on Friday, May 10 are on sale now. Remember, kids12 and under are half off for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 and FREE forthe Nationwide Series 200 in general admission sections. To purchasetickets visit www.DarlingtonRaceway.com or call 866-459-7223.
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