René Soto, an Oaklands Elementary school student fighting cancer, spends more time in a hospital than any eight-year-old should. But that hasn’t quelled his dream of being a racecar driver or a soccer player, like his father.
So it was no surprise that René’s eyes lit up this week when 18-year-old racecar driver and B.C. native Scott Hargrove visited his hospital bed in Victoria General Hospital’s pediatric unit carrying a signed poster and a mini replica of the white car Hargrove drives around the track.
“I can’t believe it’s the same car, just without the driver in it,” René said.
“I want to be a racecar driver when I grow up and I also want to be a soccer player like my dad. I’m pretty sure you can do both at the same time.”
René was like a ball of energy, with a broad smile. He did not hesitate to ask Hargrove, who was dressed in his red racing suit, a few questions.
“Is it hard to be a racecar driver?” René asked.
Hargrove told René about the physical challenges in his sport.
René’s father, Luis Soto, looked on, grateful that his son was getting an exciting break from the mundane hospital stays. René has neuroblastoma, a cancer that develops in embryonic cells.
“He’s feeling good, he’s a very strong boy,” said Luis. “It feels good to be part of a community and not feel alone.”
Parents at Oaklands are raising money for the Soto family, as they have to travel to Seattle for treatment not available in B.C.
A donation page can be found online at youcaring.com under the title Rallying for René.
Hargrove, Canada’s only young racing driver competing in the Mazda Road to Indy, visited several other children in the hospital.
He also found time to drop off roses for seniors at the James Bay New Horizons Activity Centre.
