Lee Myles Southeast PA Launches Annual Brakes for Breasts Campaign for Breast Cancer Research

Lee Myles Southeast PA has launched its annual Brakes for Breasts campaign across its Berks County auto repair shops to raise funds for the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund.

Key Clinical Takeaways:
• The Brakes for Breasts campaign runs through October 31, with participating auto repair shops donating 10 percent of qualifying brake services directly to breast cancer vaccine research.
• Investigational Phase One trial results released by Cleveland Clinic showed the vaccine produced an immune response in 74 percent of 35 study participants.
• Local participating locations in Berks County include shops in Kenhorst, Exeter Township, and South Heidelberg, alongside a drop-off and pick-up location in Wyomissing.

Campaign Launch Across Berks County Repair Shops

Through October 31, customers at participating Lee Myles Southeast PA locations receive free brake pads with the purchase of rotors and labor. The company then donates 10 percent of each qualifying brake service directly to the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund. Lee Myles Southeast PA operates three repair shops in Berks County taking part in the effort: 914 Fern Ave. in Kenhorst, 6714 Perkiomen Ave. in Exeter Township, and 1051 Old Fritztown Road in South Heidelberg. A drop-off and pick-up location operates at 320 Abington Drive, Suite 3C, in Wyomissing.

Owned by Jodi and Darren Knepper, Lee Myles Southeast PA has participated in the national fundraising drive since 2019. Marketing Director Taryn Shillady has led the local campaign for the last four years. Dan Karst, an employee at the Kenhorst location, is among the staff preparing for the campaign. Additional parts or repairs required beyond the brake service are billed separately.

Brakes for Breasts Raises Millions for Cancer Research

The nationwide Brakes for Breasts campaign launched in 2011 with five independent auto repair shops in Ohio. The initiative has since expanded to include more than 100 independent shops across the United States and Canada, raising a cumulative $2,430,093 for the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund. Locally, Lee Myles Southeast PA has donated $23,000 since joining the effort in 2019. Last year’s campaign generated $7,514.35, marking the highest local donation to date.

Shillady stated that the goal for the current campaign is $7,500. The target is divided by location: $3,000 for the Kenhorst shop, $2,500 for the Exeter shop, and $2,000 for the South Heidelberg shop. Shillady noted that the campaign has a personal connection for her due to family history and her own experience undergoing a partial mastectomy in 2021 after finding a lump.

Phase One Vaccine Trial Results and Research Progress

The fundraising effort coincides with a new stage of research for the investigational breast cancer vaccine. Final results from Phase One clinical trials, released by Cleveland Clinic, demonstrated that the vaccine produced an immune response in 74 percent of the 35 study participants. Researchers found the vaccine to be safe and well tolerated. The investigational vaccine is being studied as a potential preventive measure against triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive and difficult-to-treat form of the disease.

Research like this takes time, which is why seeing that progress matters so much, Shillady said.

Lee Myles Urges Early Brake Service Appointments

Lee Myles reports an increase in brake service volume during October. Shillady encourages vehicle owners who already know they need brake work to schedule appointments earlier in the month rather than waiting until the October 31 deadline. Customers can schedule online or contact any of the Berks County locations by phone. The Wyomissing office provides a dedicated pick-up and drop-off service, where staff transport vehicles to a repair location and return them at no additional charge. Free local shuttle service and a limited number of loaner vehicles are also available.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.