SPEARFISH—John Pilster, a brave 12-year-old boy from Belle Fourche who is battling chronic kidney disease, is in for a special treat thanks to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. On Wednesday, July 28, John was surprised with a party at Grace Fellowship Church in Spearfish, where he learned that his wish to attend a NASCAR race at the Daytona International Speedway is coming true.
The special event, known as the Coke Zero Sugar 400, will not only give John the opportunity to experience the excitement of a live NASCAR race, but he will also have the chance to meet his favorite driver, Denny Hamlin. Despite his ongoing health struggles and numerous surgeries, John remains a dedicated fan of the sport and has always dreamed of attending a race in person.
The surprise party took place at 6 pm, with a group of car enthusiasts joining in to celebrate the special occasion with John. The community came together to support him in making his wish come true; the Branding Iron and Lynn’s DakotaMart gave generous donations, and the Cars and Coffee groups helped with the cruise-in. Kaden Kirk provided drone coverage of the event as well.
Make-a-Wish Foundation has a long history of granting wishes to children facing life-threatening medical conditions, providing them with hope, strength, and joy during challenging times. John’s wish is just one example of the impact that these special experiences can have on children and their families.
