Brown’s Tire, Towing & Auto Center is participating for the fourth consecutive year in the Brakes for Breasts campaign. Pictured, from left, are Ronnie Brown, Maria Brown, Stephen Tier, Abel Gallegos, Michael Maxwell and Scott Monroe. Toni Milbourne

SHEPHERDSTOWN — For four years running, Brown’s Tire, Towing & Auto Center has participated in the national Brakes for Breasts campaign.

Each October, designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Brakes for Breasts campaign allows independent repair facilities across the country to raise funds for cancer research. Funds are specifically raised for the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Fund.

Shops around the country participate, but so far, in 2023, Brown’s Tire is the only shop in West Virginia participating in the program.

“Last year, there was a shop in Charleston that participated,” said Maria Brown, who owns Brown’s Tire with her husband, Ronnie. “But when I looked this year, we were the only one.”

Brown shared that there is a bit of a commitment to participate, such as the need to purchase shirts and a banner for the campaign. However, she added that the shop’s NAPA dealer, located in Boonsboro, Maryland, partners with them to help supply some of the brake pads and materials.

The fundraiser has the participating shops giving away free brake pads or shoes, with the customer paying only for the labor and any other necessary parts. Ten percent of those proceeds goes to the fundraiser.

Developed by Leigh Anne Best and Laura Frank, Brakes for Breasts initially raised about $10,000 from a handful of automotive maintenance shops in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. The numbers continue to increase as more and more shops sign on to assist with the fundraising.

Brakes for Breasts is run solely by volunteers and supported by the auto repair community. A true grassroots initiative, all funds go to research. Dr. Vincent Tuohy, at the Cleveland Clinic, has created a vaccine that has proved effective in laboratory animals in actually preventing breast cancer. Funds raised will continue to further that research in hopes of successfully creating a vaccine.

To learn more about the breast cancer vaccine, browse a list of participating facilities and view a yearly breakdown of the more than $1.4 million raised, visit www.brakesforbreasts.com.

Those who wish to take advantage of the opportunity to give to the Brakes for Breasts cause are encouraged to schedule their brake work between now and October 31. Brown’s Tire, Towing & Auto Center is located at 7735 Martinsburg Pike in Shepherdstown. Staff can be reached at 304-876-6835 to schedule an appointment.