While sitting in his hospital bed 16 year old David flipped through channels on the TV until he found “The Fast and the Furious”, one of his favorite movies. This movie features an exciting race full of high tech cars and a need for speed. After receiving a liver transplant due to cancer, David wanted nothing more than to escape from his hospital bed and jump into a race-car. His wish came true June 2010. David, along with his mom, dad and three brothers and sisters were heading to central Florida for an adventure packed week. 

The first destination on the agenda was Disney’s Hollywood Studio, but more specifically the “Extreme Stunt Show; Lights, Motor, Action!” David watched from VIP seats as cars zoomed by the crowd at dangerous speeds. They spun, stopped and even caught on fire! His eyes filled with hunger to sit behind the wheel of his own race-car. At this moment he knew he chose the right wish. Bright and early the next morning David and his family drove to the Extreme Stunt and Driving Team for their Extreme Film Driving Clinic. David listened to his instructor’s every word and soaked in every moment. He actually performed car stunts, learned to drive with a camera car and choreographed chase sequences through traffic! The entire time David thought this was his final wish experience. When he heard Make-A-Wish had another trick up their sleeve David wasn’t sure what could be added to this already perfect wish. 

As he pulled up to the Richard Petty Driving Experience, adrenalin ran through his veins and it clicked…he would actually drive a professional race-car around this professional track at professionally high speeds! With helmet on and seat belt locked, David sped around the track at speeds up to 121 MPH! In his thrill of race-car driving, cancer took the backseat in David’s mind and he was once again able to get behind the wheel and take control of his own life. 

 In David’s own words “My Make-A-Wish week totally pulled me out of this world and put me in a dream where each morning I woke up pinching myself to make sure I was actually experiencing this! There were no other words to describe this wish other than perfect.”