Hunter Stewart
|
Article: 10 Role Models 18 & Under |
Much like his 2nd favorite NASCAR Driver, Jimmie Johnson, Hunter Stewart began racing at age 7 around Southern California in Off-Road Racing. Hunter couldn’t wait for his first race and the Stewart family was excited about this new venture. But before Hunter’s first race the family received some life changing news they never thought possible.
Hunter’s Mom (Alycia Stewart) was diagnosed with Stage-2 Breast Cancer at just 34 years old. In an effort to keep the family moving along normally, Alycia encouraged Hunter to continue his racing endeavor. Hunter began to experience the challenges of competitive racing, but as an observant child, he also closely witnessed the heavy emotional and physical strain that Cancer brought to his Mom and into his home.
“I was worried about my Mom because she was so tired all the time,” expressed Hunter, “And I was sad because I was afraid my Mom could die.”
Hunter had been learning a lot about scientists in school and how they do research to discover new ways to help make people better. He attended an event with his Mom at a San Diego Padres Game hosted by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, where he discovered that donations from people go to help science and research with the goal of ending his Mom’s disease.
Following this event Hunter and his father were loading up their race trailer with all their needed tools and race parts. Hunter grabbed a plastic bucket and placed it in the trailer for no apparent reason. When asked what it was for, he replied that it was to collect money from people at the race track to give to the scientist.
What started with a collection bucket lead to Hunter deciding to donate his allowance for every race-lap that he completed. He then started to ask others for their ‘allowance’ and people started to donate. The race series collected donations from entry fees. Random donations started coming by mail along with letters of encouragement to the family including letters from local and state public officials. Local print newspapers and television news media started to cover Hunter’s story, which increased the awareness of his efforts. Some of the letters were from other Mothers in the same age range, who saw this young boy and young mother and realized they too could be affected.
Hunter re-designed the appearance of his race truck to include a pink ribbon and also wears pink ribbon shoe laces with his race shoes. When most young boys are asked their favorite color the last thing they say is Pink. But Hunter will boldly tell you that “Pink Rocks!”
In 2008 he was named by Forbes.com as a Top Ten Role Model under the age of 18. The media exposure continued to grow with an invite for Hunter to be a guest on the nationally syndicated Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ellen asked Hunter who his favorite race car driver was and he quickly replied, “Tony Stewart because we share the same last name and he wins.” Hunter and his Mom were rewarded by Ellen with a surprise all access all paid trip to the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Talladega Speedway, where they met NASCAR Superstars Tony Stewart, Elliot Sadler, and Jimmie Johnson.
|
|
|
|
|
“I’ve gotten to meet a lot of cool people,” said Hunter. “Sometimes I can be shy, but I still like to have the attention because I know it’s helping other families that have kids and cancer. When I get to drive my truck with the big pink ribbon on it I hope it makes the fans want to donate to the cure.”
“I felt more in control of the illness because my racing would take away my mom’s sadness because she enjoyed watching me race so much,” added Hunter. “When I was racing she forgot about being sick for a little while”
Alycia successfully fought her cancer for three years. Upon completion of her treatments the Stewart family moved from California to Race City USA, Mooresville, NC. Although Hunter was no longer racing he continued to attend Susan G Komen for the Cure events and help the cause in any way he could. In October of 2009 the Stewart family decided to formalized what Hunter had started. They incorporated Racing 2 Cure in the State of North Carolina and obtained IRS approval as a public charity 501(c)3. What was to be a new beginning for the Stewart's quickly turned for the worst. Just a few short months after forming Racing 2 Cure, the unthinkable happened, Hunter's mom was diagnosed with a new unrelated stage 3 Breast Cancer. Immediately the families focus was once again on helping Alycia fight this disease.
|
|
|
|
|
Over the next year Alycia underwent several surgeries, six rounds of ChemoTheraphy, and radiation treatments. Hunter's chance of racing again had taken a major blow. Hunter would often ask his dad, "Do you think I will be able to race again, I need to raise more money to help families fighting cancer"? Hunter's dad had always hoped to see Hunter back on the track but he knew it was a long shot with the Stewart's putting all of their resources into starting Racing 2 Cure and supporting Alycia through her many treatments. Hunter continued to help his mom and worked at the Racing 2 Cure booth when ever possible. He says he "enjoys working at the Racing 2 Cure booth because it gives him a chance to meet other kids that have cancer in their families and then he can raise more money to help these families."
In January of 2011 Hunter's dedication to helping families was rewarded in a way he never expected. He was offered a chance to drive a Bandolero in the INEX 600 Racing series by Ruston Racing & Development Team (RRD). The highly respected RRD team started by team owner Daren Ruston is providing Hunter with a Bandolero race car as well as on and off the track support. Daren Ruston said " he heard of what Hunter started with Racing 2 Cure and he simply wanted to be involved with Hunter's efforts and have Hunter as part of his team." Hunter, is beyond excited that not only does he get the opportunity to get back on the track, but he can continue raising awareness and funds for families that are fighting cancer. Hunter looks forward to a great 2011 season.
Hunter's mom is as excited as Hunter. Throughout her battle, Hunter’s racing was one place she could take a mental break from fighting cancer. “Even if it was for a short time, Hunter’s racing in our family allowed us to take our minds off the illness and just be normal,” expressed Alycia. “The racing community was so supportive and it always felt good to be outside with other families and kids watching Hunter race. The races are a time when the whole family is together, excited, and just having fun enjoying the moment. Racing can be an intense sport, especially when it’s your son out there competing, so there just isn’t anything else to focus on but cheering him on and hoping he has a good race. Being able to watch Hunter back out on the track is something we will never be able to fully express our gratitude to the Ruston Family."
Like in life, in racing things can happen fast and unexpectedly, you have good days and bad days and sometimes people get defeated for reasons out of their control. But through perseverance and a never give up attitude in life or in racing it eventually leads one to victory. Hunter Stewart is winning in life’s journey and his racing. He’s also learning a valuable lesson that every race has new a challenge to overcome and people don’t always win. But win or lose for Hunter and his family life is about learning, trying hard, never giving up no matter how tough the circumstances, and most of all enjoying each precious moment. The Stewart’s count their blessings for Alycia’s health and prey for her continuing recovery. They know the story of cancer often doesn’t have a happy ending, so they remain thankful for Mom’s health and continue to take life one lap at a time.
|
|
|
|
Update 07/27/2011 - Hunter Wins the Summer Shootout!