One Cure, an initiative from the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University, announced earlier this year a partnership with The Tony Stewart Foundation. Jay Howard will drive its entry for the 101^st running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 28.

The announcement comes on the heels of the launch of Team One Cure, which will help raise awareness of, enthusiasm for and understanding about treatment breakthroughs that come through collaboration between scientists and doctors who are working with people and animals to fight cancer. Veterinarians and doctors working together through comparative oncology, has tremendous possibilities in the race to cure cancer.

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“Partnering with the Tony Stewart Foundation on Team One Cure is a start to helping many people understand that cancer occurs in pets in a similar rate to humans, and that it occurs naturally,” said Dr. Rodney Page, director of the Flint Animal Cancer Center. “Cancer is cancer, so what is learned in pets being treated for cancer holds promise to also benefit people, and vice versa.”

Positive results

Emily Brown from Colorado Springs, was one of the first patients who benefited from CSU’s research and comparative oncology. Brown, diagnosed with osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, at 10 years old was running out of time. When her doctors called CSU’s Flint Animal Cancer Center for ideas, there was renewed hope. CSU veterinarians and her human doctors adapted a drug therapy developed for dogs fighting cancer as a last-ditch effort. Emily is now 31 years old.

Dr. Page and Emily will attend the Indy500 as a One Cure ambassadors.

Stewart joins the team

Hard-driving three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart is a self-proclaimed “softie” for children and animals, especially those facing serious illness. Introduced last fall to the cutting-edge research and clinical trials at CSU’s Flint Animal Cancer Center, Stewart quickly recognized that every once in a while, a project comes along that cannot be ignored, especially one that offers cancer treatments for people and pets alike.

Combining his passion for racing with the mission of his foundation, Stewart challenged his staff to find a unique delivery method to create awareness, enthusiasm and understanding regarding comparative oncology through a newly formed Team One Cure. “Participating in this year’s race with Jay Howard through Team One Cure, we will be making a difference in both the 500 and the race against cancer,” he said.

Howard racing for success

Howard, who hails from Basildon, England, has long been considered a “driver’s driver.” He claimed the 2005 U.S. Formula Ford Zetec Championship and Rookie of the Year award in his first-year racing in the United States. In 2006, while driving for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, he won Indy Lights, part of a racing series that serves as a development program for many of today’s top drivers. He qualified for his first Indy 500 in 2011.

[2]“I can’t begin to tell you how honored I am to have this opportunity,” said Howard. “I’m not one to give up on a dream, and I have every bit of determination to make this a successful effort for Tony, Team One Cure and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. I’m in the best condition both mentally and physically, and my race craft is on point.”

For more information on the Team One Cure program, please visit The Tony Stewart Foundation website[3].

About One Cure

Cancer is cancer. One Cure[4] is founded on the principle that cancer affects all creatures and that treatment breakthroughs come through collaboration between scientists and doctors who are working with both people and animals. This approach is known as comparative or translational oncology, and it is the core of the One Cure concept. At the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University, our mission is to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in pet animals, translating our research and knowledge to also benefit people with cancer.

About Schmidt Peterson Motorsports

Established in 2001 and owned by former IndyCar driver Sam Schmidt and Canadian businessman Ric Peterson, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports currently competes in the Verizon IndyCar Series. With a storied history in the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires series with over 70 wins, over 70 pole positions and seven championship wins, the Indianapolis-based team has also found success in IndyCar with five wins, two Indianapolis 500 pole positions and four poles claimed overall, as well as three top-five finishes in the championship points standings.