Raleigh, NC-based independent agency French West Vaughan has been named pro-bono marketing partner of national non-profit organization Teen Cancer America.
Founded in 2012 by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who, TCA helps hospitals develop facilities and services that improve the quality of life for teenagers and young adults with cancer. The organization partners with hospitals and healthcare professionals around the country to support the development of specialized cancer facilities for teens, many of whom often find themselves in pediatric wards with young children or alongside older adults. The organization currently has projects underway with cancer centers at UCLA, Stanford, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Yale, University of Chicago, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Vanderbilt and Case University Hospitals, among others.
Daltrey and Townshend created TCA after the success of their UK-based organization, Teenage Cancer Trust, which was founded in 1990. TCA has since collaborated with rock icons such as Eddie Vedder, Joan Jett and The Band Perry to raise awareness for the nationwide effort.
As part of the pro-bono partnership, FWV will provide PR and advertising support to raise awareness of the TCA and its mission. Raleigh is the southeast hub for TCA, and Raleigh-based First Citizens Bank, the largest family-owned bank in the country, recently adopted TCA as its primary charity.
“In 2008 when I was putting together a music festival to benefit the Rock Hall, the foundation started by the late Who bassist John Entwistle stepped forward to support it,” FWV chairman and CEO Rick French told O’Dwyer’s. “So when presented the opportunity to repay the kindness and support the important work Roger and Pete began 25 years ago in the U.K. when they formed Teen Cancer Trust, we jumped at the opportunity."

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