A Chicago-area miracle child will get a taste of life as a NASCAR driver on Sept. 20 at Chicagoland Speedway, when David Gilliland and Love’s Travel Stops host the seven-year-old boy who overcame a rare, fatal liver disease. Jack Benjamin will sport a replica Love’s driver’s suit and accompany Gilliland throughout his race day schedule. The youngster also created artwork that will be featured on the hood of the #38 Love’s Travel Stops Ford and on Gilliland’s helmet. At just two months old, Jack was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease for which there was no cure. Two days after the diagnosis, the Evanston, Ill., boy had his first surgery at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Three months later, he underwent a liver transplant – the beginning of his “miracle” road to recovery. Today, Jack is an active little boy who likes to dance, ride his bike and swim, thanks to the treatment received at Lurie Children’s. The miniature “driver for a day” celebration will top off Love’s Travel Stops’ and Gilliland’s week of promoting Love’s annual fundraising campaign for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across North America. Gilliland will also visit Lurie Children’s on Sept. 17 for a meet-and-greet with patients and a tour of the facility. The month of September marks the 17th year that Love’s Travel Stops has run a fundraising effort for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Cashiers at more than 350 Love’s locations nationwide are asking customers to buy paper balloons for $1, $5 or $20 to benefit local CMN Hospitals.(Front Row Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #38 team paint schemes page.(9-15-2015)
