"Most people get to enjoy their dad for most of their life, right? My dad never even had to lose his. I was just hurt that I was 19 and I was having to go through it. I was like, it was just not right" - Erik Jones
Driving Cancer Change
Cancer is a very personal issue for Erik as both his parents have fought the disease. After a very brief battle, Erik’s father lost his life to melanoma on June 7, 2016. Erik’s mother Carol has beaten breast cancer on two occasions. She was first diagnosed with the disease in 2013 and again in 2019. Today, Carol is cancer-free and spends much time volunteering for Erik’s foundation.
Our cancer programs and grant making
Erik has been prioritizing melanoma awareness and prevention long before establishing the foundation, while breast cancer has been integrated into our cancer programs more recently.
Since the foundation was incorporated, our efforts have included both grantmaking and direct-to-public education programming. Some highlights of our in our cancer initiatives include
- In 2022, EJF provided the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) with a $20,000 gift to continue its efforts in melanoma research. Erik accepted a posthumous award on behalf of his father at the 2022 MRF Gala in NYC. View Dave's story.
- EJF conducted skin cancer prevention efforts at the 2022 and 2023 Coke 600 races, distributing nearly 10,000 sunscreen samples to race fans. In 2023, that effort included a partnership with the Petfolk to educate the public about skin cancer in our pet population.
- In 2023, Kurt Busch “passed the baton” of the Window of Hope program to Erik Jones. As part of this program, every NASCAR Cup Series Driver uses a pink window net on their car during the Roval 400 Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. At the completion of the race, each driver autographs their net. Each net is then auctioned off, with the proceeds benefiting organizations that promote or provide early breast cancer detection and care.
- This is the list itemErik served as the 2023 Co-Chair of the Melanoma Research Foundation New York City Gala, which raised over $1 million for melanoma research.
- In November of 2023, EJF partnered with the Sun Bus to conduct skin cancer screening for fans and NASCAR industry members at the season finale in Phoenix, Arizona. During the weekend, nearly 250 fans were screened for cancer, with dozens of suspicious lesions identified and recommended for follow-up visits with a dermatologist.
- In December of 2023, EJF gave the National Breast Cancer Foundation $15,000 to directly assist women battling the disease.
