Sixteen-year-old Ethan Smith is humble, well-spoken, and immensely talented. He’s a history buff who can play multiple instruments by ear, and he has spent years doing musical theater.

But there’s another interest that holds a great deal of Ethan’s heart.

“Racing in cars is a pretty big part of my life,” Ethan says. “It’s one of my big interests. Everybody that knows me knows I like racing.”

Whether he’s talking about Formula One or just swapping opinions with friends, racing is one of the things that makes Ethan feel most like himself.

And while this teen loves talking with his friends about music, cars, and weekend plans, there was a time when his life revolved around something much more serious.

A Bump In the Road

In December of 2024, Ethan started experiencing some troubling symptoms. He was itchy all the time. He woke up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat. His mom, a cancer survivor, instantly suspected something was wrong.

After a swollen lymph node led to a biopsy, Ethan and his family got the answer they never wanted: lymphoma.

For Ethan, the hardest part wasn’t just the appointments or the long days. It was watching his body change so fast.

“Everything was hard,” he said. “Breathing was hard, and I couldn’t even walk down my driveway all the way. Everything just hurt.”

But even in the middle of it, Ethan never let himself believe that this was the end of his story. From the very beginning, he knew that he would come back stronger than ever. After four months of chemotherapy, his scans came back negative.

By then, his family was ready for something they’d been reminded of in the middle of the hardest days: Ethan needed something to look forward to.

In the Driver’s Seat

When it came time to choose his wish, he knew he wanted it to involve racing. He considered attending a Formula One race and fantasized about getting to meet his favorite drivers. But the more he thought about it, the clearer his decision became.

“On one hand, I could go see a race,” Ethan said. “Or I could get a racing sim and be the driver.”

After months of feeling like his body was out of his control, the chance to sit in the driver’s seat was irresistible. And as an added bonus, this was something he could experience again and again.

Make-A-Wish offered to have someone come build the simulator for him. But Ethan and his dad decided to turn it into a father-son project. Over the course of a couple of days, piece by piece, it came together.

Now, the simulator sits ready in their home: a full seat, steering wheel, pedals, and screen. For Ethan, it’s more than a game. It’s a reminder that he can still take control of the track and that, no matter what happens, he’s never alone.

Full Speed Ahead

Granted wishes aren’t miracles, but to a child facing a critical illness, they can feel like it. By giving a child something to look forward to, it offers hope and support during one of their darkest moments.

That’s why supporters across Central and Northern Florida matter so much. When you donate, volunteer, or attend a Make-A-Wish event, you’re helping create moments of hope, connection, and joy for kids facing critical illness.

There are countless ways that you can support the life-changing mission of Make-A-Wish® Central and Northern Florida. Contact your local chapter today to see how you can help.