CITGO Corpus Christi Sponsors Ready or Not Foundation’s Luncheon in Support of Pediatric Cancer Research

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, September 20, 2017 /3BL Media/ - CITGO Corpus Christi is supporting Ready or Not Foundation’s efforts in pediatric cancer research by sponsoring this year’s Best Dressed Luncheon on Sept. 21 at the Solomon P. Ortiz International Center. Childhood brain tumors are the leading cause of death in pediatric cancer patients under the age of 19, and the Ready or Not Foundation aims to increase awareness and raise funds for vital research. 

The Best Dressed Luncheon includes a fall fashion show by Julian Gold featuring Italian designer Valentino Garavani. Guests are invited to wear their favorite fashion, enjoy a fabulous show, art auction, and help recognize those people who have given to the Foundation.  

“Although this unforgiving illness is the leading cause of death in pediatric cancer patients, the funds for research are lacking,” said President and Founder of Ready or Not Foundation Barbara Canales. “CITGO has been with us since the inception of our Best Dressed Luncheon, helping to support brain cancer research for our children.”

The Ready or Not Foundation is a local Corpus Christi organization, founded by Barbara Canales after her daughter, Jackie Black, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of six. Donating 100 percent of contributions directly to pediatric brain cancer research, the foundation has raised more than $2.2 million to date. 

“The CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery supports organizations such as Ready or Not Foundation that contribute to an improved quality of life for our community in the areas of health, education, and the environment,” said CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery Vice President and General Manager Alirio Zambrano. “We are proud to sponsor an event in which 100 percent of the proceeds will go toward pediatric cancer research.”

The CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery has been committed to improving residents’ quality of life for more than 80 years. In addition to the Ready or Not Foundation, CITGO has supported local nonprofits such as Charlie’s Place Recovery Center, Camp Aranzazu and the Corpus Christi American Heart Association in hopes of improving the well-being of their neighbors. 
 
About CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery
The CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery, which celebrated 80 years of operations in 2015, provides more than 1,000 jobs locally, while generating more than $345 million per year in support of the local economy through salaries, services and taxes. In addition to producing high-quality fuels for its network of nearly 5,500 independently owned and operated CITGO branded stations across the country, Corpus Christi Refinery employees make a major positive impact on the community. In 2015 alone, CITGO employees in Corpus Christi volunteered more than 2,900 hours of their personal time to local and national charities. Since 2013, the CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery and its employees have provided more than 10,000 volunteer hours and approximately $3.3 million in support of community organizations such as United Way, Charlie's Place, Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Miracle League, Catholic Charities, the Special Olympics and a variety of environmental and preservation initiatives, such as the revitalization of the Gateway to Corpus Christi, Hans and Pat Suter Park and Adopt-A-Beach Clean Up. The 80th anniversary of the Corpus Christi Refinery last year was preceded by the 70th anniversary of the CITGO Lake Charles Refinery in 2014 and is being followed by the 90th anniversary of the CITGO Lemont Refinery in 2016, with CITGO facilities marking three significant milestones in three consecutive years. For more information on the CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery, visit www.citgorefining.com/corpus-christi. 

About CITGO
CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.