One out of three people develops some form of cancer, so chances are you know someone who died of it or keeps battling to survive. My mother passed away in 2003 and my father has been fighting blood cancer since 2004. Call it fate, bad luck, a cruel trick of nature or whatever; it's one of those things in life that go beyond your control. Case in point: an email I received from Nathalie Thibault.
"Convertible owners are invited to a special gathering and drive event on Sunday, May 27th for a good cause - blood cancer.''
Given my father's situation and his passion for Ford Mustang convertibles, I immediately confirmed our presence. My dad was ecstatic and Auto123.com editor Michel Deslauriers managed to find us a 2013 Ford Mustang GT Cabriolet.
A few days later, my father realized that his beloved Shawinigan Cataractes would be playing in the Memorial Cup final. Fortunately, the game was scheduled for the evening, so we would have the entire day to take part in the drive. Of course, it wasn't the ideal scenario for a chemotherapy patient who needs lots of rest, but we just couldn't pass up this amazing opportunity.
Nathalie Thibault is the founder of the Club des décapotables de l'Estrie, which brings together convertible owners and enthusiasts for memorable times on the road. She's the one who came up with the idea of an annual drive to raise funds for the Société de leucémie et lymphome du Canada. Her own father is battling leukemia and her uncle died of it.
So we headed to Sherbrooke where a shiny new 2013 Mustang GT Cabriolet awaited us. Dad fell in love at first sight. More than 75 cars gathered at the starting spot and drove through Eastman, Waterloo and Knowlton. I will always remember the smile on my father's face. Seeing him behind the wheel of this Mustang, so happy and proud, filled me with hope and faith.
Our tight schedule forced us to break from the group just after lunch. My old man attended the Memorial Cup final and watched the Cataractes win a first title in their 40-year history. What an incredible Sunday!
"Convertible owners are invited to a special gathering and drive event on Sunday, May 27th for a good cause - blood cancer.''
Given my father's situation and his passion for Ford Mustang convertibles, I immediately confirmed our presence. My dad was ecstatic and Auto123.com editor Michel Deslauriers managed to find us a 2013 Ford Mustang GT Cabriolet.
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| Photo: Philippe Champoux |
A few days later, my father realized that his beloved Shawinigan Cataractes would be playing in the Memorial Cup final. Fortunately, the game was scheduled for the evening, so we would have the entire day to take part in the drive. Of course, it wasn't the ideal scenario for a chemotherapy patient who needs lots of rest, but we just couldn't pass up this amazing opportunity.
Nathalie Thibault is the founder of the Club des décapotables de l'Estrie, which brings together convertible owners and enthusiasts for memorable times on the road. She's the one who came up with the idea of an annual drive to raise funds for the Société de leucémie et lymphome du Canada. Her own father is battling leukemia and her uncle died of it.
So we headed to Sherbrooke where a shiny new 2013 Mustang GT Cabriolet awaited us. Dad fell in love at first sight. More than 75 cars gathered at the starting spot and drove through Eastman, Waterloo and Knowlton. I will always remember the smile on my father's face. Seeing him behind the wheel of this Mustang, so happy and proud, filled me with hope and faith.
Our tight schedule forced us to break from the group just after lunch. My old man attended the Memorial Cup final and watched the Cataractes win a first title in their 40-year history. What an incredible Sunday!