GPC & NAPA Partner With The American Cancer Society (ACS)

Three years ago Genuine Parts Company (GPC) and NAPA joined the American Cancer Society (ACS) in its mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. In 2021, GPC and NAPA are committed to growing that partnership and to continue working to make a positive difference in the lives of those served by the American Cancer Society.

Mayela Allen, Executive Director of the American Cancer Society in Georgia, said, “The generosity and ongoing support of Genuine Parts Company and NAPA has a direct impact on the American Cancer Society’s ability to ensure that lifesaving cancer research continues to be funded and people facing cancer get the help they need during an incredibly difficult time.”

Getting a Start on Giving

In 2018, Derek Goshay, GPC Vice President, Safety & Sustainability, was named to the American Cancer Society’s Georgia Community Leadership Board, a role he continues to serve in today.
That same year, GPC was a sponsor of the Atlanta Select Golf Tournament. Also in support of ACS’s mission, GPC and NAPA launched their first “Pink Out” campaign.

During several days in October employees had the opportunity to participate in various campus activities including the Step Challenge. The men and women at GPC and NAPA participated in a walking competition designed to encourage a healthier, more active lifestyle. Through this first-year effort alone, employees raised $4,000 for ACS.

GPC and NAPA employees participated in a World Record Breaking Car Wash Event in 2019. Through their efforts $2,000 was awarded to the American Cancer Society.

In 2018 and again in 2019, the NAPA Executive Leadership team volunteered their time to tour the Atlanta Hope Lodge and host a dinner for patients and their caregivers. Hope Lodge provides a free home away from home for out-of-town cancer patients undergoing treatment and the caregivers who accompany them. At this time, Hope Lodge operations are suspended due to COVID-19

GPC’s Real Men Wear Pink Campaign Launched in 2018

Goshay and Greg Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer joined the American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign in 2018. Along with community leaders around the country, Goshay and Miller used the power of pink locally, raising money used for innovative breast cancer research, patient services, and education to attack cancer from every angle.

As part of that effort the two organized and hosted the first GPC Truck Pull held at GPC/NAPA Headquarters. Eight-member employee teams competed for the coveted company trophy. An amazing $20,000 was raised through the truck pull alone which contributed to the $78,800 total donated to the American Cancer Society’s 2018 Real Men Wear Pink campaign.

The following year, Kevin Herron, NAPA President and COO, along with Sid Jones, GPC Senior Vice President Investor Relations, led the Real Men Wear Pink charge and raised more than $110,000, far exceeding their goal.

Commenting on his involvement with Real Men Wear Pink, Herron said, “The campaign was awesome, the energy was awesome, the personal stories and experiences coming out of the folks we met were just unbelievable.”

Brett Robyck, NAPA Vice President, Commercial Sales stepped up in 2020. For his efforts, Robyck earned a spot as a top 10 fundraiser in the national rankings. Even during the pandemic Robyck and his team donated $44,000 to the cause.

He said, “I was motivated to get involved when I saw the wonderful work my local chapter is doing to support research and current cancer patients who don’t have the resources to access treatment. Imagine having breast cancer but you can’t afford to access the help you need.”

GPC and NAPA employees were encouraged to create and submit t-shirt designs to be used in the company’s 2020 Real Men Wear Pink campaign. The winning design was voted on by employees and sales of the “Faith, Hope, Love” t-shirts helped raise $12,249.74 for last year’s campaign.

Looking Forward

Genuine Parts Company and NAPA look forward to continuing their partnership with the American Cancer Society in the year ahead, helping to support the organization’s mission of funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. All so we can all live longer — and better.

“Thank you for having the creative vision to grow fundraising programs such as the truck pull and car wash in support of a world free from cancer,” said Allen. “You have raised the bar high for other companies to follow suit, and your legacy will be the impact you make in the fight against cancer and lives saved.”