LINCOLN, Nebraska – For the past six years, Nebraska gas stations have united, raising thousands of dollars for cancer research as part of Fuel the Cure — a campaign that also educates others about healthier fuel options. Fuel retailers alone raised $18,733 this past year, and the six-year campaign total has grown to $64,572.
Annually, throughout October, drivers opting for higher blends of ethanol fuel like E15, E30 and E85 triggered a 3-cent donation for each gallon sold at participating stations. Ethanol, a natural octane booster derived from Nebraska field corn, plays a pivotal role in displacing harmful aromatics in gasoline linked to cancer, heart disease and respiratory issues. The campaign’s grand total comprises additional contributions from industry partners and participating Nebraska ethanol plants. This includes Siouxland Ethanol in Jackson and E Energy Adams in Adams who have donated to other cancer centers and organizations over the years as part of this campaign.
Donations from fuel retailers benefit the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha, a nationally distinguished cancer facility that uses the most advanced biomedical and technological tools available to identify the causes behind cancer to create precise therapies for each cancer patient. This includes Nebraskans, as well as cancer fighters worldwide.
Breast cancer survivor Jenn Klein emphasizes the profound impact of cancer research, saying, “Several medications saved my life.” A funded researcher discovered two of the four chemotherapy treatments she underwent. Klein’s journey showcases the importance of continuous funding and support for groundbreaking treatments that offer hope to countless lives.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the U.S. However, thanks to funded research, the mortality rate for those battling cancer is declining. Currently, 1-in-8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. The Cancer Center treats all forms of cancer, emphasizing that men face a 1-in-2 chance of a cancer diagnosis while women face a 1-in-3 chance. For in-depth information on health risks associated with gasoline aromatics and the Fuel the Cure initiative, visit fueledbynebraska.com/pink.
Fuel the Cure founders Nebraska Ethanol Board, Nebraska Corn Board, and Renewable Fuels Nebraska are gearing up for Fuel the Cure 2024. They invite Nebraska fuel retailers selling higher ethanol blends to connect with Jessica Sodeke, communications and outreach manager for the Nebraska Ethanol Board, at Jessica.sodeke@nebraska.gov for participation details.
Fuel the Cure also sponsors the American Cancer Society of Nebraska’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and provides vital funding to the Heartland Cancer Foundation, assisting over 300 Nebraska cancer patients with fuel costs by way of ethanol gift cards.
Ethanol Benefits Nebraska and Its Drivers
Drivers who choose ethanol at the pump often see a price break, and their use of ethanol supports Nebraska’s rural communities, the state’s economy, and its farmers. E15, also called Unleaded 88, is approved for use in passenger vehicles 2001 and newer. Nebraska has approximately 200,000 registered flex fuel vehicles that can run on any blend of ethanol up to E85 (a gasoline-ethanol blend containing 51% to 83% ethanol). Drivers can check their owner’s manual to see if they’re driving a flex fuel vehicle. The vehicle might also have a flex fuel badge on the trunk or tailgate, or a yellow gas cap.
Given Nebraska’s position as the No. 2 ethanol producer in the U.S., ethanol availability is expanding across the state. Locate gas stations offering higher blends of ethanol at fueledbynebraska.com, contributing to both a healthier future and a thriving Nebraska.
