PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014Sharon Bates is a lifesaver, one heart at a time. She runs the Anthony Bates Foundation, a nonprofit group named after her son, who died 25 years ago from a heart condition.<\/p>\n
On Your Side\u2019s Gary Harper asked, \u201cWhen they told you he had a heart issue, what did you think? Sharon replied, \u201cNot my son. Exactly. Because he had no symptoms. He didn\u2019t have any warning signs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sharon\u2019s foundation tests all kinds of people, both young and old, in hopes of detecting hidden heart conditions. When she\u2019s not testing in her office, she and her husband travel the state using this 2013 Mercedes van to haul all of their medical equipment for tests.<\/p>\n
However, for the past 10 months, their van has been sitting in a parking lot, unable to be driven. \u201cI can\u2019t go to southern Arizona. I can\u2019t go to the Indian reservations. I can\u2019t go anywhere else without my van.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ten months ago, Sharon asked her mechanic to change the van\u2019s transmission fluid, which he did. But following a test drive, the van broke down. And it hasn\u2019t been driven again since January. It ground up the transmission,” Sharon said. \u201cCompletely ground it up. You can\u2019t even drive it.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Sharon, the mechanic had purchased Valvoline transmission fluid from a reputable auto part supplier. However, the database they used provided the incorrect Valvoline fluid type, and that improper fluid was poured into Sharon\u2019s van. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe contacted Valvoline, and they said, Let\u2019s test the fluid. And once the fluid was tested, they said, yes, this is the wrong fluid for this vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sharon tells On Your Side that Valvoline was apologetic and agreed to pay for all the damages, including the cost of installing a new transmission. But that was 10 months ago, and Sharon says Valvoline has stopped communicating with her.<\/p>\n
So, On Your Side got involved. Will Mair, Sharon\u2019s husband, said, \u201cYou know, you\u2019re (Gary Harper) straight up. You don\u2019t pull any punches, and you get stuff done. That\u2019s why we came to you because we\u2019re run out of options.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Your Side got in touch with Valvoline Global, which immediately requested that Sharon and her husband resubmit the paperwork to reimburse them for the new transmission. The couple did, and says they\u2019re currently waiting for Valvoline Global to submit them a check. Sharon and Mike say that with the help of On Your Side, they\u2019ll hopefully be back to work in no time. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know why, but for some reason, they\u2019ve been dragging their feet, and we can\u2019t keep going on like this. (Sharon) She needs to get this resolved. We need to get on the road and save some more lives,\u201d said Will. <\/p>\n
Well, On Your Side has some great news to report: Valvoline Global has submitted a check to the nonprofit for $10,000. That\u2019s just for the expenses the organization incurred while being without a vehicle, such as van rentals.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the original van is receiving a new transmission, and Valvoline Global has agreed to cover the entire cost.<\/p>\n
When that happens, On Your Side will let you know in a follow-up report.<\/p>\n
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