Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation Announces Winner of C8 Corvette Sweepstakes

An Arizona man has been selected as the winner of the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation Sweepstakes last weekend.

But instead of taking a 2020 Corvette, Richard Kisthardt of Tucson says he’ll take the $75,000 lump sum payout instead.

The Miller Foundation, in conjunction with Valley Chevrolet of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, announced the contest at the 2019 Carlisle event held just after the unveiling of the mid-engine Corvette.

After more than a year of extended ticket sales due to the pandemic, Chip’s son Lance Miller, president of the CMAF and co-owner of Carlisle Events, announced that a total of 52,991 tickets had been sold, with donations varying from $25 to $5,000.

Miller used a special app on his iPhone to select the winner – ticket number 7,582 – and used that same phone to leave a voice mail for Kisthardt, who had bought three tickets on March 10, 2020 and had to overcome some skepticism about his victory when the two men finally were able to talk live.

“I am thrilled to be the recipient of the winning ticket supporting the CMAF,” a grateful Kisthardt said. “My wife works in the scientific research community and was just as excited as I was to see how much money was raised for this worthy cause. We celebrated with dinner and are planning a family trip. Thanks to the organizers for making this contest possible.”

While he chose to take the cash payout instead of the 2020 Corvette, Kisthardt added: “I do have to say that is one GREAT LOOKING car. Thank you all.”

Miller likewise expressed his appreciation to all who supported the first-ever CMAF sweepstakes.

“The sweepstakes proved to be a slow start,” he said. “However, once the final week countdown occurred, we quickly saw escalating donations coming in fast and furious. Every penny raised goes to a tremendous cause that’s near and dear to me and my family’s heart – the CMAF. We can’t thank everyone enough for taking a chance and helping a great cause. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us achieve our mission.”

The sweepstakes was especially important in 2020 as nearly every other CMAF benefit event had to be canceled because of the pandemic. One more virtual event is planned for Sept. 27, when runners and walkers will take part in the Hugh Claus 5K on their own time and their own course and email their results. You can register for this event and find out more about the foundation at www.ChipMiller.org. Chip Miller was known worldwide for his resilient positive attitude and his passion for Corvettes. He had a tremendous personal Corvette collection and created Corvettes at Carlisle. He and his close friend Bill Miller founded the incredibly successful automotive event production company, Carlisle Events, held at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania.

In December 2003, Chip was diagnosed with a little-known disease called Amyloidosis. Sadly, due to complications from the Amyloidosis, the world lost an incredibly special human being on March 25, 2004. Had Chip and his doctors been aware of the symptoms of the disease when they first presented, this legend might still be with us today.

Amyloidosis occurs when the abnormal protein, called amyloid, builds up in one or more organs to cause a malfunction. As an abnormal protein, amyloid originates in bone marrow. The heart, kidneys, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract are most often affected by the disease.

The mission of the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation is to empower people with the knowledge and understanding of Amyloidosis for earlier detection, ensuring a better quality of life for those afflicted with the disease and to help science find the cures.

Source:
vette-vues.com/

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