Should Susan G. Komen for the Cure ever pursue sponsorships at major racing events, the international organization can count on 7-year-old Hunter Stewart of Carlsbad to be a goodwill ambassador.
Founded in 1982 with the goal of eradicating breast cancer as a life-threatening disease, Komen for the Cure played a big role over the weekend in Hunter's first competitive off-road race. Racing in an Off-Road Trophy Kart Series event on Saturday at Race Town 395 in Hesperia, Hunter charged from a last-place starting position to a third-place showing, earning a trophy for a podium finish.
Hunter was piloting the No. 16 Ford Ranger Trophy Kart as part of the Desert Dog Race Team, and he also carried the Susan G. Komen for the Cure logo on the hood of his truck. The Komen connection was in support of Hunter's mom Alycia, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments after recently being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Before his race, Hunter vowed to donate one week's worth of allowance to Komen for the Cure for every lap he competes.
"I want to help the scientists so they can get rid of cancer for my mom, and other moms won't have to have cancer anymore," Hunter said. "I'm going to give the cancer scientists my allowance and tell other kids to give their allowances, too."
Alycia Stewart, 34, has been soldiering on while being a mother to Hunter and his sister, 4-year-old Brooke, and wife to husband Todd.
"We want to do all we can to turn this experience into a positive for our family," Alycia said. "It's encouraging to us, and it's been a great learning process for Hunter."
The family was all on hand for Hunter's race, in which he was the youngest driver competing against 11- and 12-year-olds. With 14 trucks fighting for the lead, there was a multi-truck pileup that allowed Hunter to momentarily move into the lead after a broken clutch during qualifying sent him to the back of the pack for the start.
"All the trucks crashed into each other and rolled over, and I drove way off the track and followed the black truck," said Hunter. "Then I passed him and I was in first."
Hunter was overtaken for the lead spot, but held on to second place for much of the race. He later was passed for second and had the rest of the field bearing down on him for third.
A few motivational words from Todd helped his son maintain his podium pace.
"My dad said on my radio that if I didn't let any other trucks pass me, I would get a trophy," said Hunter, who picked up the pace and finished eight seconds ahead of the fourth-place finisher.
Hunter's mom said his presence helped bring awareness to the breast cancer research cause.
"At the track, people were coming up to Hunter, telling him they want to make donations," said Alycia. "Family, friends and people we don't even know at all heard about what Hunter was doing and have offered to make donations on behalf of his efforts.
"It was an exciting race, and it's more exciting that we are bringing awareness to breast cancer through Hunter's racing. We never thought of it having this type of response."
Laura Farmer, the director of communications and community relations for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, San Diego, noted how family support can provide a boost for cancer patients.
"Alycia and her husband, Todd, have been open with the family about what's happening, and they're getting the kids constructively involved with the fight against this tough disease," Farmer said. "They have learned what others should remember: Just as your children depend on you, sometimes you can depend on them, too. They can be, and want to be a source of support.
"That's Hunter. He's an extraordinary boy, and we're all so proud of him."
For more information on Komen for the Cure's efforts in the San Diego area, visit www.sdkomen.org.
- Contact staff writer Rick Hoff at (760) 740-3545 or rhoff@nctimes.com.
