Via WISTV:
Hundreds of Jeeps were on display at the Historic Columbia Speedway on Saturday, but this wasn’t your typical car show.
Jeep owners from across the country came together to make one sick child’s dream come true.
Curing Kids Cancer nonprofit organization teamed up with the family of 9-year-old Landon Derrick to fill the infield of the Historic Columbia Speedway with 650 Jeeps for a Jeep Convoy.
Landon’s Jeep Jamboree was held in an effort to raise awareness and research funds for childhood cancer. The event was named for Landon, a Jeep loving boy who had a brain tumor.
Landon was diagnosed with a brainstem glioma in May of 2015.
“We were basically told there was really no option other than surgery,” Alana Derrick, Landon’s mom said. “Chemo and radiation really wouldn’t work for his type of tumor.”
After undergoing back-to-back brain surgeries, the tumor was removed but he suffered severe damage to his cranial nerves and his body. He’s been in and out of the hospital for three years. But despite life’s obstacles, Landon is determined to beat the odds of his prognosis.
On Saturday, Jeep owners joined the cause to fill the infield of the Historic Columbia Speedway to raise money for childhood cancer research. The event stemmed from a Facebook page called “Landon’s Jeep Page” which quickly grew to more than 14,000 members. Jeep owners sent in photos of their Jeeps for Landon to admire.
“It touched my heart whenever I saw his page. I have a cousin who’s in his later 40’s now who’s also survived this same thing he’s had 6 brain tumors removed in his lifetime and he has two sons that have graduated from high school now so I wanted Landon to know that anything is possible,” Karen Wagner, who traveled from Alaska said.
While many in attendance didn’t personally know Landon, they all came out for the same cause.
“What you’re on earth for is to help others and give back,” Rocky Roberts, from Texas, said.
“It’s astronomical to see what’s happened to Landon in just a few short weeks.,” said Drew Hyman, who attended the event from Georgia.
“’Mom and dad told me do you want the money that we’re all raising for ourselves, or do you want to give it to Curing Kids Cancer to help them and save a lot more lives?’ and I said I’d rather give all the money that we’re raising to Curing Kids Cancer to save other kids’ lives,” 9-year-old Landon explained.