When Allan’s mother gave him crayons and paper at the age of 4, the first thing he drew was a car. Allan’s car designs have come a long way since his coloring days, and now his artwork drives his dream to design sports cars. With a little help from UAW-GM and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania, Allan’s wish came true.

Allan, a 17-year-old diagnosed with leukemia, has his sights set on a career in the Motor City. When the Design Team at GM Tech Center invited him to present some of his best designs at their headquarters near Detroit, his excitement shifted into overdrive. What Allan didn’t know was that the entire Tech Center staff – from the top executives to the technicians in the garages – was as eager to meet and work with him.

“I was very impressed with Allan as well as his designs,” said Ed Welburn, vice president Global Design.“I was most impressed with his determination, creativity and visionary thinking. We hope his visit to GM Design Center inspires him further to fulfill his destiny.”

As an auto aficionado, Allan knows what he likes. He is a huge fan of GM’s Chevrolet Corvette and Pontiac Trans Am sports cars with big ideas for “next generation” designs. The influence of these iconic cars is apparent in the sleek, low-slung lines of his favorite design, a racy flame-red speedster that seems to hover just above the ground. Allan revved up his design with a 600-horsepower motor, and its huge rear tires speak of roots in the muscle cars of the Motor City.

After Allan showed his dream designs to the creative team members at GM, they kicked into high gear, enhancing them and giving them that professional touch. When they unveiled the sketches to Allan in the Virtual Reality Room, the well-spoken boy could only respond, “Wow! Oh boy! Man! Man, this is … that is – whoa man!”

Recovering nicely, he later added, “All I have to say is thank God that I’m here to tell you where I came from – a lot of agony and pain. But this is everything I have dreamed of, that got me through. I thank the Lord for giving me another day to live my dreams. And I thank each of you for your generosity.”

The Design Team was impressed with both Allan and his designs, offering him advice on college and the industry and introducing their internship program, where perhaps Allan will sit one day.

“You’ve got everything it takes,” confirmed an impressed Brian Baker, DRIVE Team manager.

Later, Baker gave Allan an insider’s tour of the Tech Center campus, where Allan saw – and sat in – many of the specialized cars from the executive garage, including Jeff Gordon’s famed #24 race car. Vice President Welburn became Allan’s personal chauffeur, and the two sped around the GM grounds in the newest, hottest cars the company has to offer. Allan also got to cruise back in time, taking in the classic cars at the GM Heritage Center.

Like the cars he designs, Allan’s day at GM sped by. And now he has a host of new friends who could someday open doors to his future. There’s no question that Allan’s wish put him on the fast track.