After the initial examination, he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, a designation that means the cancer has spread to nearby tissues and possibly the lymph nodes. It was January 2017 when John Andretti’s cancer was first discovered. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness of colon cancer and to encourage people to get screened in order to have a better chance at catching cancer early on. After learning of his cancer, Andretti revealed his condition to the press and started the hashtag #CheckItForAndretti that he shared on Twitter and other social media platforms.

In 1997, he founded the Race4Riley, an annual go-kart race that aimed to raise money for the Indianapolis-based Riley Hospital for Children to date, the annual fundraising race has brought in over $4 million to support the hospital’s mission to care for children.Īndretti also translated his fame into community service after he was initially diagnosed with cancer in 2017.

Throughout his 20+ year long career, Andretti raced numerous types of vehicles, competed in nearly 400 races, and routinely had top 10 finishes in famed races like the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500.Īndretti’s life outside of racing was marked by devotion to his family and community service indeed, he regularly sought to use his celebrity status to help others. John Andretti was nephew to racing legend Mario, son to racer Aldo, and cousin to racers Michael and Jeff. After a three-year-long battle, Andretti, aged 56, finally succumbed to stage 4 colon cancer.

Racing enthusiasts all over the country were devastated this week at the news of John Andretti’s passing.

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