Boy Dying of Terminal Cancer Wanted Racing Stickers for His Casket and Drivers Delivered
(OSKALOOSA, Iowa) — Race drivers and others have been answering the call from an 11-year-old Iowa boy who wants racing stickers to cover his casket after he dies from leukemia.
Caleb Hammond’s uncle, Chris Playle, told The Des Moines Register that his family brought him home to Oskaloosa, about 55 miles southeast of Des Moines, after determining the painful treatments he’d been undergoing at a Des Moines hospital weren’t working and other options offered little hope. Playle says Caleb’s been home for about three weeks doing things an 11-year-old normally does, but that he tires easily.
Caleb has loved auto racing since the age of 2, when he started visiting his uncle at his home near the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa. The two would watch as drivers parked their cars on the street before the track opened and then would head to the stands to see the colorful cars race around the speedway.
“He’s my racing buddy. It was kind of our deal,” Playle said. “I probably had just as much fun as he did.”
His passion for racing is what prompted the request for stickers. Playle said the stickers have been pouring in after social media appeals, helping to keep everyone’s spirits up.
Putting a package together now for you Caleb lots of stickers headed your way https://t.co/61zuoteL8C
— Austin Dillon (@austindillon3) August 21, 2018
For those asking, we sent dozens of stickers to Caleb earlier this week. We hope they put a smile on his face and give him comfort as he continues to battle cancer. Stay strong, Caleb. Stay strong. https://t.co/YpcJSR307u
— RCR (@RCRracing) August 22, 2018
We are thinking about you, Caleb! There are lots of stickers and a signed hat from @tydillon headed your way!
You can share your racing stickers with Caleb Hammond too:
314 North J Street
Oskaloosa, IA 52577
Learn more about his story?? https://t.co/8A2RronAiB pic.twitter.com/L65QJYhGBk— Germain Racing (@GermainRacing) August 20, 2018
Playle said the family is “just trying to do as much as we can with him while he’s here.”
Caleb’s got to experience racing first-hand on Saturday when he suited up in driving gear and sped around a dirt track in a stock car designed for children. A 12-year-old racer sat beside Caleb to help him learn to work the stick-shift and navigate the track.
Caleb’s father, John Hammond, told The Oskaloosa Herald that the entire family had been looking forward to the racing.
“A goal of his was to be able to drive a race car when he got older,” Hammond said. “It’s like a dream come true.”