Fill Up With Purpose: Your Gas Tank Can Help Fund Cancer Research

September 28, 2023

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(Morning Ag Clips/Renewable Fuels Nebraska) Fuel the Cure campaign runs during month of October -- Join the Nebraska Ethanol Board, Renewable Fuels Nebraska, and participating retail stations this October in supporting Fuel the Cure. By choosing ethanol blends at the pump, you’re not only driving cleaner but also contributing to the fight against cancer.

This October, every time you fill up your gas tank with higher ethanol blends, you’re not just fueling your vehicle; you’re funding breast cancer research. Join in the Fuel the Cure campaign at your local participating gas stations and make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

How it Works:

Choose Ethanol Blends: Opt for higher ethanol blends, such as E15 to flex fuel E85, available at gas stations listed at FueledbyNebraska.com/pink.
Your Fill-Up Makes an Impact: For every gallon of higher ethanol blend sold between Oct. 1-31, nearly 50 Nebraska fuel retailers will donate 3 cents toward cancer research and services within the state.
Look for Pink: Identifying the retailers supporting this vital cause is easy; just look for the pink Fuel the Cure signage at the pump, on the windows, and at the counter. Since 2018, Nebraska’s Fuel the Cure campaigns have raised over $45,000 for cancer research, primarily benefiting the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha. “This distinguished institute plays a pivotal role in shaping cancer care, research, and education in Nebraska, the region, and the world,” said Jessica Sodeke, Nebraska Ethanol Board’s communications and outreach manager.

Ethanol-Blended Gasoline: Good for You, Good for the Environment
Gasoline blended with ethanol isn’t just a cleaner fuel; it’s healthier for you and the environment. Traditional gasoline contains toxic aromatics, such as BTEX, which make up 25% of a gallon of gas. These aromatics pose health risks when inhaled at the pump, from vehicle exhaust, and as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Ethanol, with its high-octane value, allows oil refiners to reduce aromatic content in gasoline by at least 5%. This percentage increases significantly when using higher ethanol blends like E15 and E30. As the No. 2 producer of ethanol in the nation, Nebraska is leading the way in providing eco-friendly fuel options.

Your Vehicle and Ethanol Blends:

E15 for Most Vehicles: E15 (15% ethanol and 85% gasoline), also known as Unleaded88, is approved for use in passenger vehicles from 2001 and newer.
Flex Fuel Vehicles: Higher ethanol blends are approved for use in flex fuel vehicles, and one in 10 Nebraskans drive one. Flex fuel vehicles can run on any blend of ethanol up to E85 (which contains 51-83% ethanol and 15% gasoline).
Not sure? Check the owner’s manual or visit FueledbyNebraska.com: If you’re unsure about your vehicle’s compatibility, consult your owner’s manual or look for a flex fuel badge on your trunk or tailgate, or a yellow gas cap.

Together, We Drive Change
“Cancer touches the lives of nearly everyone in some way,” said Kenneth H. Cowan, MD, PhD, director and physician-in-chief at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. “We appreciate that Nebraska fuel retailers are joining forces to empower drivers to support cancer research at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, which provides lifesaving care to people throughout our state. Through generous contributions, such as the Fuel the Cure campaign, we are able to fund researchers working on new treatments each and every day.”

Jenn Klein of Lincoln was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. Her cancer cells were growing and dividing very rapidly, at a rate of about 80%. Lifesaving treatment was needed right away. She completed 20 weeks of chemotherapy, received multiple blood and platelets transfusions, underwent a four-hour procedure that included a port removal, sentinel node biopsy, double mastectomy, and immediate one-step reconstruction, and endured 33 sessions of radiation. By the end of 2015, Klein was finally cancer free. If it wasn’t for a chemotherapy treatment that was discovered by a funded researcher, Klein might not be alive.

Join the Nebraska Ethanol Board, Renewable Fuels Nebraska, and participating retail stations in supporting Fuel the Cure. By choosing ethanol blends at the pump, you’re not only driving cleaner but also contributing to the fight against cancer. For more information about the benefits of ethanol, participating locations, and how your fill-up supports cancer research, visit FueledbyNebraska.com/pink.

The Nebraska Ethanol Board works to ensure strong public policy and consumer support for biofuels. Since 1971, the independent state agency has designed and managed programs to expand production, market access, worker safety and technology innovation, including recruitment of producers interested in developing conventional ethanol, as well as bio-products from the ethanol platform. For more information, visit www.ethanol.nebraska.gov. READ MORE / MORE