Passion runs deep in the auto community – but the bond between friends too. This year, that spirit comes to life in a profound way as friends, family and supporters who come behind Garet ThomasA beloved figure in the car world who is confronted with the last phases of his fight against cancer.
Earlier this year, Garet was confronted with devastating news. What started as a search for answers about a growing tumor in his leg changed in months of uncertainty with the wrong specialist. When the truth came to light, time was brief. Thanks to fast action by Valerie and a world -class medical team, Garet underwent an amputation from above the knee in the hope of completely eliminating the cancer. Initially, the prognosis looked hopeful. But shortly thereafter the tide turned and scans revealed a much more difficult reality.
Because of all this, Garet has remained humble and deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and generosity of his friends, family and the wider community. His resilience has been downright inspiring.
While the reality of his diagnosis started, Garet presented an old friend Alisander “Ali” Hoff With a sincere request. Garet had one wish: Monterey Car Week – his favorite event in the world – for what could be the last time, surrounded by the cars, the atmosphere and the people he loves. In his own words, he hoped to be Ali’s ‘passenger princess’ in Carmel for a week, in the magic of the world’s most celebrated automotive meeting.
Ali, who has been a media for years on Pebble Beach, did not hesitate. He gathered his network to make Garet’s dream a reality, so that the media access was obtained to some of the most prestigious events – including the quail, the auctions, the Monterey Motorsports Festival and the Preserve competition. He arranged a place for Garet to stay, a chair on a friend’s private jet, and dedicated to be personally by his side.
But Ali’s vision goes beyond Garet only giving the experience of your life. He works to take a videographer to catch the journey, so that the young children of Garet will have a lasting memory of the last Monterey Car Week of their father – a memory of his joy, his courage and his love for life.
Garet’s journey is one that resonates deeply within the auto -community – proof of friendship, shared passion and the power to come together in times of need. Although many costs are already covered by the friendliness of friends, there is still a need for financial support to help with costs and to make this trip as unforgettable as possible.
And now, the Gofundme Founded for Garet and the efforts of his family is the introduction of a new and critical chapter. As Garet shared in his last update:
** “We need your help badly … Like a community, and people who really understand our story, you are our only soldiers and proponents to help get the word. We know that $ 77k has already been collected, it looks like a large number, but we were $ 56k in the hole when that money struck our house and kept us, a blessing of your donators.
Our goal with this next round is to look to the future – at my children and my wife, to ensure that they are cared for when I am gone. A good friend of us who owns a financing company has started to help us set up a specific fund to grow the donations and to help my wife become the only provider. When it becomes ‘terminal’, all those other accounts and obligations are lost, and it will be about how much I can stack for my wife and children. My wife has been an absolute warrior because of this and everything she can do to look for work while she stands by my side. God gave me a happy one.
I know that many of you have already donated or helped in one way or another, and we are grateful forever; But if you could find it in your heart to share it again, to post it on social media, tell a friend or even share our story with a fellow can all change it. So many people have still not heard our story, and even a donation of $ 1 can make a difference. **
If you can contribute, your generosity will help create memories that the Van Garet family will cherish forever. If a donation is not possible, sharing his story is just as powerful – ensuring that the spirit of this trip reaches as far as possible.
Visit his fundraising page and share his story to support Garet’s trip and his family. Every contribution, every share and every kind of word helps to feed this last ride.
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