By SYDNEY KENT
“I love you, mom.”
“I love you, Kane.”
“I miss you all the time, Mom.”
“I miss you all the time, Kane.”
Brittany Danels detailed the tender conversation she shared with her four-year-old son, Kane. Kane is battling a rare form of terminal cancer called Rhabdoid Sarcoma.
Like most children, Kane loves to be right next to his mom. He also loves anything vehicular-related. If it has a motor or drives on wheels, he is excited. If it makes Kane smile, his family is interested.
Attending a car show was out of the question — a 15-minute car ride hurts him, and he no longer has the capacity to take a walk outside. However, Danels wondered if anyone in the community would be willing to drive past their home and bring the show to him.
Her thoughtful idea evolved into a community event: Kruisin’ for Kane. Danels created a Facebook event for July 6, inviting vehicles of all kinds.
The community came through. More than 700 cars interrupted the quiet streets of Bluffton to make Kane smile. The line-up of vehicles began at the 4-H park, with family, friends, and strangers all participating.
After the event, Danels thanked the community in a heartfelt Facebook post.
“So many have reached out and thanked us for the honor to do this,” Danels wrote. “I want each and every person to know they were a part of something special. Seeing so many different styles of cars and people from many different walks of life come together for one special person — it’s so beautiful.”
Danels said she hopes to make Kruisin’ for Kane an annual event to honor Kane’s legacy.
“I will never feel like I have shown the appreciation I would like,” Danels said. “But if we can give this to another family, it would be an absolute honor.”
The Tru Kingz Motorcycle Club is hosting a bike and car show, with 50% of the proceeds benefiting Kane’s family. The show will take place from 12-6 p.m. on Aug. 10 at 5731 Saint Joe Rd. in Fort Wayne.
Kane’s GoFundMe can be found at gofund.me/30ded893. Those interested in helping with food can participate in the meal train for Kane and his family at mealtrain.com/9qwzkk.
sydney@news-banner.com
