Tampa Bay Buccaneer joins National Hemophilia Foundation’s fundraising and awareness program
March 24, 2008 - Andretti Green Racing News

NEW YORK, NY (March 24, 2008) — The National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) today announced Chris Hovan, starting defensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will be moving off the field onto the track as a spokesperson for Team Hemophilia^SM on Tour. This program, sponsored by Bayer HealthCare with support from Andretti Green Racing, leverages the excitement of the IndyCar Series and the popularity of driver Marco Andretti to raise money and awareness for the bleeding and clotting disorders community.

“It’s great to have Chris involved with Team Hemophilia on Tour,” said Andretti. “His participation on and off the track will do a tremendous amount to raise support for NHF and bring added excitement to the 2008 racing season.”

This year Team Hemophilia on Tour is hitting the road with members of NHF’s National Youth Leadership Institute (NYLI), a program created to foster the development of next generation leaders and help NHF chapters across the country build strong youth programs. These youth leaders (ages 18 – 25) will follow Marco across the country from race to race, participating in local media appearances, visiting hemophilia treatment centers and offering youth programs at local chapters along the way.

“I am proud and excited to join Team Hemophilia on Tour and support NHF’s youth leadership program,” said Hovan. “As a member of the Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida, I know first hand how the National Hemophilia Foundation and their 48 local chapters are changing lives. Team Hemophilia on Tour is a great way to raise awareness about bleeding and clotting disorders while also supporting these extraordinary young people. I’m really looking forward to working with AGR and their sponsors to make this a unique and successful program.”

Hovan will help AGR kick off the IndyCar Series season by participating in an S2000 Parade Lap prior to the Honda Indy St. Pete during Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg event weekend. Throughout the year, Hovan will also be involved with helping to gain sponsor support, in media interviews, public service announcements, and track activities with local patient communities at the Indianapolis 500, Texas Motor Speedway, and Watkins Glen International. This is the first year Hovan has been involved in Team Hemophilia on Tour.

“The National Hemophilia Foundation is thrilled to have Chris’ support and enthusiasm for this very important program,” said John Indence, Vice President for Marketing & Communications, National Hemophilia Foundation. “As someone directly connected to the bleeding and clotting disorders community, Chris is a great advocate for our organization’s youth programs. We are honored that he has agreed to work with us.

Funds raised by Team Hemophilia on Tour will benefit the National Youth Leadership Institute and the local NHF chapters in select race cities.

Contact:
John Indence
National Hemophilia Foundation
Tel: 212-328-3763, Fax: 212-328-3777
E-mail: jindence@hemophilia.org

Chris Hovan Interview

About Hemophilia
Approximately 400,000 people around the world have hemophilia. Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder characterized by prolonged or spontaneous bleeding, especially into the muscles, joints, or internal organs. The disease is caused by deficient or defective blood coagulation proteins, known as factor VIII or IX. The most common form of the disease is hemophilia A, or classic hemophilia, in which the clotting factor VIII is either deficient or defective. Hemophilia B is characterized by deficient or defective factor IX.

About the National Hemophilia Foundation
The National Hemophilia Foundation is dedicated to finding better treatments and cures for bleeding and clotting disorders and to preventing the complications of these disorders through education, advocacy and research.