Spencer Ross is all smiles after the Make a Wish Foundation
gives his truck an overhaul
Gilroy – Spencer Ross got his wish.
Suffering from a life-threatening disease, Ross wished to transform his 2002 GMC Sierra pickup into something he could be proud of. Once a regular stock white truck, it was transformed with lift shocks raised to six inches. It now has a sound system, two DVD players, new rims and tires, it was detailed and smells like new.
“He’s gone through a lot, and something is finally going his way,” said his brother Freddy Ross, 23, who held a camcorder and recorded the emotions of the family at the event.
“Look at that, Oh My God,” said Cindy Ross, Spencer’s mother when she saw the refurbished truck pull up. “It’s like a totally different truck. It’s just jaw dropping.”
Spencer, 15, climbed into the truck and turned on the radio. The loud music vibrated through the cab of the truck and his mom shrieked, “Oh my God, he got a sound system,” delighted with how happy her son was.
“I was amazed with how different it looked,” Spencer said. “I’m excited to drive.”
He received the truck just the way he requested it.
John Cavernaugh, service manager at Gilroy Pontiac Buick GMC was the emcee for the presentation. He said it was great to see the family so happy.
“I think it was a little bit more than they expected,” he said.
Although Ross’ illness is not terminal, it is life threatening. He suffers of Common Variable Immunodeficiency, an immune system disorder that affects males and females in equal numbers. The immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues making it difficult for the body to fight off infections, according to the www.stjude.org. The exact incidence of occurrence is unknown, but about one in 50,000 people contract the disease.
Life threatening disease such as the one Spencer has are not necessarily terminal. A misconception surrounding the foundation is that only those who have terminal illnesses qualify to receive a wish. Any person who has suffered with any disease may have a wish granted as long as they meet the requirements.
Sales associate of GMC, Luis Pacheco, mentioned that his son received a bone marrow transplant when he was 7 and the Make-a- Wish Foundation granted him the opportunity to go to Florida.
A parent can refer their own child, said Make-a-Wish volunteer Jessika Tsuchida, who worked with Spencer to grant his wish.
“We met him over the summer. We interview the child, find out what they want, send the paperwork to headquarters in San Francisco,” said the San Jose resident. “It was so easy because he knew exactly what he wanted. He had specs printed out from the web.”
Spencer’s doctor submitted the request three months ago.
“He, from all my other patients, he’s dealt with a lot his whole life. I am glad to see him smile,” said Doctor Kari Nadeau, 40, of Stanford. “It’s hard to be poked and prodded in the operating room.”
Spencer met all three requirements to receive a wish. He is between 2 1/2 and 18 years of age. His physician certified that he meets the foundation’s medical criteria, and that he has not received a wish from Make-A-Wish or any other wish granting organization.
“I’m definitely lucky,” said Spencer before he drove off to his best friend’s house to show off his truck.
Betsy Avelar attends Gavilan College and is an intern for The South Valley Newspapers. Reach her at 847-7216 or ba*****@************ch.com.
