Cancer-stricken Iowa boy lives life to fullest in $3 million Ferrari

KCCI- A dying wish recently came true for an 11-year-old Oskaloosa boy who has terminal leukemia.

Caleb Hammond’s original wish was to gather race stickers for his coffin, but instead, a Florida Ferrari dealer gave the boy a chance to ride in a $3 million race car.

“I think it’s amazing,” Caleb said. “It’s very loud, and I bet it’s going to be pretty fast.”

Caleb doesn’t know how much time he has left to live, but he does know he won’t be spending it in a hospital.

“I’m glad my family is here to experience it with me,” he said.

Caleb’s father, John Hammond, said, “I believe he made the right choice, to live it out doing what we’re doing instead of lying in a hospital bed.”

Caleb’s story has spread across the country — all the way to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the Ferrari dealer owner Garrett Hayim had an idea. He sent a Ferrari race car, a driver and a racing suit all the way to the Iowa Speedway in Newton just for Caleb.

Even though Caleb’s leukemia has taken its toll, he wants to go fast, and driver Jody Coenen is just the man to make sure that happens.

At first, Coenen took it easy for KCCI’s camera: slow and steady on the track. But then he let it rip, full speed at 202 mph, lap after lap around the Iowa Speedway.

“We are just happy to provide the venue where he can come and do this and happy to have them here,” said David Hyatt, president of the Iowa Speedway. “For us, it’s kind of a thrill watching him smile.”

The roar of the engine was defining, and before it was all over, there were a few smoky burnouts — a perfect ending to a perfect day on the track.

“When we did the doughnuts, it felt like a tornado,” said Caleb, who has collected thousands of racing stickers from across the country for his casket.

But now his dream will include a thrill ride in his favorite race car and his grateful family by his side.

“He is the bravest kid I think I’ll ever know,” Hammond said.

“This is something I will never forget,” Caleb said.

Caleb had another dream on his bucket list: to watch a Green Bay Packers game in person. On Wednesday, the team invited him and his family to do just that.