/PRNewswire/ - The Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Organization for Research and Advocacy (P.A.N.D.O.R.A., Inc.) in Coral Gables, Fla., is Fueling Good as one of 12 winners in the CITGO Fueling Good summer program. Recognized by CITGO Petroleum and local Marketer Sunshine Gasoline for its work in assisting patients with neuroendocrineimmune disorders (NEIDs) in leading productive and fulfilling lives, the non-profit organization has been awarded $5,000 in CITGO Gift Cards to help extend its Ripple of Good and the impact of its work.

"The donation from CITGO and Sunshine Gasoline will make a huge impact in the work that P.A.N.D.O.R.A. does to help people suffering from NEIDs and raise awareness about these disorders," said Marly Silverman, founder of P.A.N.D.O.R.A., Inc. "The Fueling Good prize will help us serve more people affected by NEIDs and raise awareness for these widespread but often undiagnosed and misunderstood illnesses."

More than 20 million Americans are affected by NEIDs, which include a wide range of conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, Gulf War illness, chronic Lyme disease and fibromyalgia. P.A.N.D.O.R.A. raises awareness of these disorders and works to address and alleviate many of the issues that affect the quality of life of persons who are diagnosed.

"It is an honor to reward P.A.N.D.O.R.A. for advocating on behalf of individuals in our community suffering with these neuroendocrineimmune diseases," said Max Alverez, president of Sunshine Gasoline. "It can be frightening for people afflicted with these conditions and their families if they feel that they don't have information or support in living with their illness. P.A.N.D.O.R.A. offers them hope and serves as their voice."

P.A.N.D.O.R.A. provides educational community outreach programs that ensure quality of medical treatments and quality of life for the individuals and their families with NEIDs. In addition, P.A.N.D.O.R.A. offers grants and funds to support the advancement of scientific research surrounding NEIDs.

P.A.N.D.O.R.A. is one of 12 CITGO Summer Fueling Good campaign winners selected from more than 1,100 charities through a nationwide online vote. More than 100,000 votes were cast to help identify the latest winners in one of four categories: Environmental Protection and Restoration; Education and Social Investment; Energy Assistance and Conservation; and Health and Well-being.

The principles of Fueling Good can be seen in all aspects of the CITGO brand and are aligned with the social development principles of the CITGO shareholder, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Registration for the Winter program begins Dec. 1 and all 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations based in the 26 states and District of Columbia in which CITGO operates are invited to submit an entry at www.FuelingGood.com.

For regular updates and to join the conversation, "Like" CITGO Fueling Good at www.Facebook.com/CITGOFuelingGood and view videos of past winners at www.youtube.com/CITGOFuelingGood.

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

CITGO Petroleum Corporation

CITGO Petroleum Corporation

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 48 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,400 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 769,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the fifth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 4,700 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com. 

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