Jack Beckman's humanitarian marathon

In addition to racing in the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series, Jack Beckman commits himself to what seems like an endless schedule of charitable and selfless causes.
Here is an example of what a typical week is for him:
The NHRA will be racing at The Strip in Las Vegas this weekend. Beckman, second in the NHRA Funny Car standings, will be driving for Don Schumacher Racing during the weekend.
In addition to his commitments at the drag strip, Beckman visited patients at the military hospital at nearby Nellis Air Force Base on Thursday. He is an Air Force veteran and cancer survivor, and visits the military hosptial every time the NHRA races in Las Vegas.
"When I went to Las Vegas a few years ago I got together with a good friend of mine named Pam Robinson, who was in the Air Force for 12 years and does a lot of volunteer work there," said Beckman, who lives in North Hills. "We went over to the military hospital at Nellis Air Force Base and I visited with some of the troops and veterans there."
He will be holding an auction and autograph session tonight in the Don Schumacher Racing pit area to raise money for an NHRA fan and friend who is fighting cancer. He will also be at the Orleans Hotel and Casino on Saturday night for another autograph session.
After the races in Las Vegas, Beckman will be in Santa Monica as part of the Racers Who Care program on Thursday. He is scheduled to make an appearance and give a speech at the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club.
"I don't think I'm a philanthropic person by nature," said Beckman. "I was always kind of a self-absorbed Southern California hot rodder. Obviously, having cancer was quite an awakening, but even still I didn't particularly go out and find ways to donate my time and money. A lot of them kind of come to me. I know a lot of people and I'm outgoing and I network a lot and many people were aware of my situation and they called me and asked me to help. And I found myself saying yes to almost every offer and it just developed from there."
Because he fought and survived cancer, Beckman said that gives him a different perspective and it's part of the reason he donates his time to so many different causes.
"I think the common denominator you'll find among people who give time to charity is that there is a passion for it, whether they lost somebody close to them or went through something themselves," Beckman said. "They usually have a heartfelt draw to whatever charity they are donating their time to. I have a deep compassion for veterans and sick people so I started visiting the hospital at Nellis and now it's something I try to do every time I'm in Las Vegas. And it's blossomed into other charitable opportunities.
"During my cancer my wife, Jenna, who was still my fiancée, did three marathons and raised over $20,000 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. She did that because I had cancer and it was an eye opener to her."