Chicago Automobile Trade Association Donates $1,500 to Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer

CHICAGO (May 15, 2023) - The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), Chicagoland’s new-car dealer association, recently donated $1,500 to Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer. The donation came via the CATA’s Chicagoland Dealers Care program in conjunction with a $10,000 donation by Napleton’s Countryside Mazda. Through Chicagoland Dealers Care, the CATA matches up to $1,500 of a member dealer’s donation to local charitable organizations.

The Violet Foundation was established in fall 2022 just months after the Napleton family lost 3-year-old Violet Napleton to brain cancer. In the last six months the foundation has raised just over $1M to provide funding to pediatric brain cancer research, clinical trials, and treatment options. Additionally, the foundation distributes small grants to support families with children who are being treated for pediatric brain cancer.  

“We are so grateful that CATA has supported Violet Foundation,” said Steve Napleton, President of Napleton’s Countryside Mazda and co-founder of Violet Foundation. “More children die of brain cancer than any other type of cancer, and the standard of care for some has barely changed in 60 years. The support of CATA and its members can make a meaningful difference in the advancement towards a cure.”

The CATA has been a longtime supporter of local nonprofit organizations like the Violet Foundation. Since its inception in 2008, the grassroots Chicagoland Dealers Care program has donated more than $125,000 to local charitable organizations. Additionally, since 1992, the association has raised more than $60 million for Chicago-area charities during the annual First Look for Charity black-tie event, traditionally held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public.  

“The CATA’s Chicagoland Dealers Care program was designed to help our member’s donation dollars go further and highlight the wonderful work they are doing in their communities,” said CATA Chairman JC Phelan. “In this case, we are also honored to help spread the word about the charitable work this foundation is doing. They sprang into action last fall following Violet’s passing and the entire Napleton family hasn’t stopped working to help others facing their same battle – it’s incredible.”

For more details on the Chicagoland Dealers Care program, please visit www.ChicagolandDealersCare.com. To learn more about Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer, visit www.violet-foundation.org.