Free mammograms for (female) race fans at Las Vegas NHRA race

 Funny Car racer Alexis DeJoria will arrive in Las Vegas for the NHRA Toyota Nationals, October 31-Nov 2, having won three races this season, but her biggest 2014 victory might come from off the race track, in the race to help defeat breast cancer. 

Based on the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural ‘Free Mammograms for the Fans’ program presented by Alexis DeJoria Racing, the team has expanded its partnership with the Nevada Health Centers (NVHC), to offer free mammograms to female race fans attending the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway later this month. 

“The ‘Free Mammograms for the Fans’ program was a great success last year. We received such an overwhelming response that there was no question that we would of course bring it back this year,” said DeJoria, driver of the Kalitta Motorsports Patrón XO Cafe Toyota Camry Funny Car, referring to the seemingly endless stream of women who opted to take advantage of the gratis screenings at the 2013 NHRA Toyota Nationals. 

In order to accommodate an even larger group of women this year, a new element has been added to the program- Pink Passes. The Pink Passes, which are essentially ‘rain check vouchers’ to accommodate overflow participants, will allow race fans to take advantage of the free screening program, but at a later date. Any woman, who does not get a mammogram during the race weekend, may obtain a Pink Pass from the mammovan while at the track. The Passes will be valid until March 31, 2015, with the mammovan able to make screening pit stops anywhere in the greater Las Vegas area.

'Pround of this program'

 “I’m very proud of this program. We really weren’t sure what to expect when we launched it last year. Nothing like this had ever really been done before, and we were blown away by the response. It inspired a lot of women to come out and take advantage, even women that weren’t originally planning on going to the race; they heard about what we were doing and decided to buy a race ticket. It was like they were getting a two-for-one: a day at the races, and a free mammogram,” she said, adding, “Early detection is key. We’re giving women a chance to get screened without having to take time out of their work day, or make an appointment with their doctor, and it’s absolutely free- this is the perfect opportunity to have this important test performed.”

NVHC’s ‘mammovan,’ a mobile mammography unit housed within a semi-truck, will join the throngs of big rig race haulers and set up camp for the race weekend in the nitro-fuel pits of the Speedway, sitting adjacent to the Kalitta Motorsports pit areas. As with any NHRA Mello Yello Series event, every ticket is a pit pass, making the mammovan easily accessible to all fans in attendance. 

Women over the age of 40- regardless of their health insurance status- are encouraged to stop into the mammovan at any point throughout the weekend and take advantage of the free screenings. According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, lack of health insurance is one of the main reasons women go without getting a mammogram. The mammovan will open at 9AM and close at approximately 6PM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, possibly extending its evening hours depending on race delays. 

Like many of her peers, DeJoria’s Patrón XO Cafe Toyota Camry will be decked out in special pink decals and graphics, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. “Supporting the cause by running a pink car, wearing pink or selling specialty pink items is great,” said DeJoria, “but we wanted to do something even more productive, and something that would be a direct benefit to our fan base, which is why we developed this program last year. We’re in a position where we are able to give back and NHRA has provided a great platform to showcase this cause. As one of the few females in the sport, it was a no brainer to lead the charge in the fight against this horrible epidemic.” 

Those wishing to get screened at the race do not need an appointment or a referral. Although health insurance is not a requirement, those who are insured should bring their insurance information to the race. Test results will be sent via mail approximately ten days following the event.

 The ‘Free Mammograms for the Fans’ program is made possible thanks to generous donations from Alexis DeJoria, Kalitta Motorsports, the Patrón Spirits Company, and a partnership with Nevada Health Centers.

Alexis DeJoria Racing