Racing for Corey - Corey's Corner

COREY'S CORNER
Thoughts from Corey's mom, Debbie Hanchar

Hi everyone! Welcome to Corey's Corner!

We'd like to introduce ourselves to you. My name is Debbie Hanchar, my husband Greg and I are the proud parents of Trisha, our 17 year old daughter, and Corey. We wanted to tell you a little bit about our son, and how he came to be a race car driver. Corey was full of everything that you could pack into a little boy. Blonde hair, blue eyes, with a smile that would light up the world. He'd make up his own jokes to make people laugh, especially his sister Trish. This came so easy for him. His laugh was so contagious, like the right from the heart infectious giggle kind, that would overtake him, and you too.

Corey He loved his family so very much and had so many friends. I don't remember him ever not liking anyone. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't perfect by any means, close though. He didn't like school, except for Gym and seeing his friends. He loved sports and played them all, but his favorite was basketball and racing. When he was 5 years old he got a go-cart. Trish and Corey were in that car constantly. This is when his love for racing started. He'd have his racing helmet and gloves on, no matter how hot it was, doing lap after lap. I would stand outside for hours watching him, scared to death, telling him to please slow down. He'd grin at me with his eyes, slow down and two minutes later, he was going just as fast as before. I eventually developed hand signals, slow down, slow down or else, and eventually, that's it, you're off it for the rest of the day. Of course the last one would bring him racing up to the house laughing, always followed by his "I'm sorry's" and the "Please Mom's", which of course I very rarely could resist.

When he was 8 1/2 years old, he was diagnosed with cancer, literally overnight and our nightmare began. One day, Good Friday, 1997, we had a healthy little boy who had just finished basketball season, and the next we were told he had Stage 4 Ewing's Sarcoma. Our world was rocked, but with faith and determination we knew were going to survive this, Corey was going to survive this.

During his 1st chemotherapy treatments at Riley Children's Hospital, a very special social worker came into Cor's room and told him that the Indiana Children's Wish Fund wanted to grant a wish for him and that he could wish for anything in the world that he wanted. I must of looked at her like she was crazy. I remember thinking she must have the wrong room!! But my thoughts changed very quickly. Corey studied her, this stranger, almost as if he didn't believe her, listened to her, then he tentatively asked, "Anything?' and she replied, "Anything within reason." "Even a puppy?" he said. "Well, if it's OK with your mom and dad, even a puppy. But, be very careful, think about it, you have plenty of time." I saw the sparkle begin in his eyes, and his face lit up with his, precious smile, something I hadn't seen for awhile. This was the moment I realized what a wonderful gift this truly was, at a time when my baby needed something wonderful to happen. Corey spent the rest of his treatments, virtually 6 months, in the hospital being the bravest boy I will ever know in my lifetime. He took a lot of that time thinking about what he would wish for. He kept saying that he wanted to have something he could keep forever. When his treatments were done, the decision was made. Corey wanted a Quarter Midget race car, so he could be a race car driver.

Corey in his race car Terri and Julie, from ICWF, started working their magic. With the kindness and generosity, of Mike Klinge from KECO, driver Tyce Carlson and many other wonderful, giving souls, Corey's wish was granted, at Christmastime. During a local radio show, Corey got to meet Mike, Tyce and Terri and they presented him with his car. There wasn't a happier boy in all the world.

Mike and Tyce told Corey he was part of their racing team now and wanted him to bring his whole family, as their guests in two weeks to Orlando, Florida, for the first IRL race of 1998 season. Corey, of course, couldn't let his teammates down so he said, grinning from ear to ear, "We would love to, Thanks!" He was even invited to come to a race party at "Give The Kids The World", with his new "Cherry Red" car. That beautiful smile never left his face that day. One of Corey's biggest thrills, while delivering his car to Tyce's garage before we left, was being allowed to sit in the cockpit of Tyce's car.

The week our family spent in Florida was to be one of the most memorable week of our lives. We were warmly welcomed by all of Corey's newly found friends, and he had the time of his life. They made him feel very special and a part of their racing team. As it turned out, that week was the last week of Corey's young life. Three days after we returned home, January 28, 1998, he suddenly, and very unexpectedly, left us.

The reason I wanted to make this the 1st edition of "Corey's Corner", was to help everyone understand how much joy these wishes bring to the children and their families. Our family will be forever grateful to all the people who have hearts of gold, not only for the happiness they brought to Corey, but also for bringing those magical smiles to many other kids and families through the Racing for Corey program. Thank you Keco for honoring Corey and keeping his spirit alive with this organization, which continues to keep hopes and dreams alive.

Thank you for visiting "Corey's Corner", and we invite you all to write to us, we would love to hear from you. Oh, just in case you were wondering, Corey got his puppy too, a gift from his Grandma. He named her "Taz". He wanted to race as fast as the Tasmanian Devil, and he wanted the back of his helmet to say "C-YA", for all the racers to read as he left them behind. There is no a doubt in my mind you are "Racin' in the Wind" Corey, and leaving all the angels spinning. We love and miss you buddy.

You Can Write To Corey's Mom Anytime

Share your thoughts with Debbie Hanchar. Her email address is: debblondie@aol.com