Racing For Children

HONORARY CREW CHIEFS

Each year cancer and blood disorder patients from Children’s of Alabama are selected to serve as VIP team members and ambassadors of Racing for Children’s. Honorary Crew Chiefs have rock star status – staring in the annual car reveal at Barber Museum, are Featured Guests at the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix weekend events, develop special relationships with the drivers and team, and are frequently seen on the stage presenting or accepting trophies. Each one inspires the drivers and team.

HANDPRINTS

Each handprint on the RFC car is that of a child in treatment at Children’s of Alabama and represents their particular battle with a childhood cancer or blood disorder. Those handprints inspire the entire team and power them and the RFC car to the top of the podium.

FUNDRAISING DINNER

The Racing for Children's Dinner & Auction is the premiere event held at the Barber Motorsports museum during Indy Grand Prix weekend. The purpose is to raise funds for childhood cancer and blood disorder research and patient programs at Children’s of Alabama. The platform attracts world renowned celebrities, executives, champion racing drivers, political dignitaries, and features medical leaders at Children’s of Alabama and UAB, but the kids are the true stars of the show.

BY THE NUMBERS

Numbers that Matter

$3.5M+

Dollars raised for fighting childhood cancer and blood disorders

100's

Children and their families impacted by the RFC program

“You realize that it could happen to anybody and so it’s incumbent upon us. We have to do something about it. And that’s why we need to keep pushing hard in research because we are fighting the clock. A cure today could save someone’s life tomorrow. But if we wait until tomorrow, it may be too late for that one child.”

Emmett McLean

Co-founder and former COO
Medical Properties Trust

“It’s important to me that Ford is involved in Racing for Children’s because it gives him a purpose. This is huge for him because he is getting to be with a driver, and it makes him happy. And he needs happiness right now. Look at the kids, the crew chiefs. I mean the smiles on their faces. I would support it even if it wasn’t my child - just to see a child that’s gone through cancer have even just one day of happiness like that.”

Amelia Bertram

Ford's Mom

“It’s more than just what happens on race weekend. They stay connected with me. They don’t look at me differently because of my cancer. It really gives me confidence. I’ve never seen another organization like this. Honestly, Racing for Children’s and Kelly Moss Racing are my family.”

Mollie Wilder

Senior Honorary
Crew Chief

Honorary Crew Chiefs

Why We Race

Our cause is simple – celebrate the inspiring champions named Honorary Crew Chiefs, fostering a culture that brings them joy, and raising funds to find a cure.

Past Crew Chiefs

2023

Charlie Reeder

She has been on the news and has spoken at church,” Brett said. “A story not told is not of use to the world, so we try to use her story to educate and help others. We feel like that’s what she was destined for.”

2023

Ryan Pickett

He has learned to differentiate between something like a normal headache and sickle cell pain, even to the point of whether he is not going to be able to manage the pain or have to go to the hospital.”

2023

Cole Murphy

Only 28 days. That’s how long it took to put 3 ½-year-old Cole Murphy’s leukemia in remission. But it took nearly four years of treatment to make sure it stayed there.”

2023

Harmony Cooper

Doctors suspected Harmony Cooper had sickle cell disease when she was just days old. For first-time mother Briona Leonard, the prospect was both unnerving and intimidating.”

HOT LAPS FOR KIDS

Patients are hosted by RFC at Barber Motorsports Park throughout the year. Each patient and their family are given private tours of the Barber Museum before climbing into a Porsche to be driven at speed around the Barber track by professional race car drivers and instructors. This simple “distraction” is how Racing for Children’s began.

CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

KellyMoss is recognized as the winningest team in Porsche motorsports history. Since 2017, the Racing for Children’s / KellyMoss partnership has garnered 69 race wins, 5 series champions and series runner-ups 3 additional times. The handprint-powered Porsche 911 GT3 of Racing for Children’s is known as one of the most formidable teams in the Carrera Cup North America series.

RACE LIVERY

The handprints that cover the Racing for Children’s livery have become one of the most recognizable liveries on the track and in victory lane. But don’t mistake them as a cute trademark or gimmick. They are a meaningful symbol of the young patients they represent.