Mazda North American Operations announced today that it has made a $1 million donation to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital to aid the latter’s efforts in researching and treating childhood cancers and other life-threatening diseases.

The donation was made through the Mazda Drive for Good program, which ran from Nov. 21 to Jan. 2, aiming to donate $150 for every new Mazda vehicle purchased or leased during the time period to one of four national or 44 local charities chosen by the customer.

“Mazda’s donation to St. Jude helps them achieve their mission of reducing the cancer rate among children and allows them to continue their treatment without ever giving a patient’s family a bill,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and chief executive officer at MNAO. “However, this donation would never have been possible without the donations being directed by our customers throughout the month of December during the Mazda Drive for Good event. So, while this donation comes from Mazda Drive for Good, it is really a direct result of our customers wanting to give to St. Jude.”

Mazda has also pledged an hour of charitable service for every test drive of a new Mazda vehicle that was taken during the event, which ended up totaling over 66,000. The company’s employees, dealers and business partners plan to work together to contribute the service hours pledged.

For more information about the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and its endeavors, click here.