As an energetic five-year-old and big fan of toy cars, Gerold eagerly looked forward to his wish to be a racecar driver. When the limo carrying him and his entire family arrived at SpeedVegas, Gerold couldn’t wait a moment longer. His wish was at last coming true.

In March 2020, Gerold received a heart transplant and began a medical journey filled with ongoing treatments, extended hospital stays, and surgery. Throughout his recovery, Gerold played with his toy cars to pass the time. Some of his favorite types of cars include police cars, firetrucks, and, most of all racecars, especially Lightning McQueen.

On the day of his wish, Gerold received a true racecar driver experience at SpeedVegas, from a custom racing suit and helmet to his very own life-size Dodge Viper SRT toy car. Accompanied by a professional driver, Gerold suited up and made his way to the racetrack where four different racecars awaited.

Gerold’s parents, brother, and grandparents watched as he zipped and zoomed around the track for what seemed like hours, cheering him on each time he switched cars. Just when everyone thought Gerold had completed his final lap, Gerold’s older brother, Nelson, treated him to a victory ride in his new Dodge Viper.

With the generosity of The Simon Keith Foundation, who sponsored his wish, getting to celebrate Gerold’s special day has given his family the strength they need to heal and much hope for a brighter future. When asked what Gerold’s wish meant to their family, his mom, Amanda, called it a day “they will never forget.”