Springfield Plastics donates $143K to Simmons Cancer Institute
Representatives from Springfield Plastics visited Simmons Cancer Institute on December 15 to present a gift of $143,550 to Dr. Aziz Khan, executive director of SCI.
The company’s perennial fundraiser, “Drain for the Cure,” supports cancer research in central Illinois. Donations come from employees, customers, vendors, business partners and friends of Springfield Plastics. The campaign has generated more than $1 million for SIU-led cancer research studies and patient services.
“Springfield Plastics has been leading this campaign since 2014, and it gives us hope each year. We’ll continue this battle on behalf of all our loved ones affected by cancer,” said Jennifer Furkin, president of Springfield Plastics.
“We’re very grateful for the ongoing support of Springfield Plastics,” said Khan. “The monies raised help fund local cancer studies that produce solid preliminary data. Our teams can then build this research into federal grant proposals.”
Khan also highlighted a pair of recent successes: SIU scientists have created a blood test that appears to predict the reoccurrence of breast cancer, and investigators have discovered a protein that signals cell division in the lymphatic system, leading to cancer spread.
Beyond these scientific advances, community support continues to play a key role. In addition to the financial donations, an initiative led by Dale Himstedt of D&H Drainage and Shane Gray of S&J Gray Trucking was again a generous contributor. Called “Grain for the Cure,” Himstedt and Gray pick up grain donations from farmers willing to drop a few bushels into their dump wagons during harvest season.
Additional community involvement came from several Central Illinois-area schools. Auburn, North Mac and Tri-City high schools hosted “Game for the Cure” events, where attendees could purchase merchandise and proceeds were donated.
For more information about getting involved or supporting future fundraising efforts, visit spipipe.com/drain-for-the-cure.
