‘It made me feel special’: N.S. truckers fulfil cancer-stricken mom’s dream of riding in 18-wheeler
It was on her bucket list.
Lana Thompson, 66, always wanted a drive in an 18-wheeler. It happened in style on Saturday afternoon. Under sunny skies, a fleet of big rigs rolled up outside her Clayton Park home. Her two children and two grandkids were right there with her.
A spotless Mack 18-wheeler dressed in purple streamers and balloons — Thompson’s favourite colour — led the group.
The driver Lenny Wilson jumped out of his rig with gifts — a hat and jacket stamped with his employer’s logo. All smiles, Thompson slipped on her new swag and got aboard Wilson’s truck.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Thompson. “This is amazing.”
Just a few weeks ago, Thompson found out she has an inoperable brain tumour. Word got out on social media of her dream of driving a big rig. Wilson and his buddies made sure it happened.
It all stems back to the perpetually popular “Touch-a-Truck” event held at Porters Lake Elementary School last month. Wilson and his Mack truck participated in the show. A couple of weeks ago, Wilson was scrolling Facebook when he saw an anonymous post saying how much Thomspon wanted to be at the event. At the time, she was in hospital receiving her devastating diagnosis.
Wilson was determined to get her out on his rig and got to work.
“It’s a dream come true.”
– Lana Thompson
He reached out to the person who wrote the post, a family friend, and got the family’s blessing. There would be a little trucker parade, kept secret from Thompson.
Wilson enlisted his fellow trucker friend Rob Laybolt to help organize a crew. They advertised the event on Facebook. Others signed on, including Halifax Fire, who volunteered their ladder truck.
It all came together in a matter of weeks. The parade was made up of nine trucks and a couple of cars. Led by a Halifax Regional Police patrol car, the group went for a 10-minute drive, first meandering through Parkland and Lacewood Drive. The convoy ended up on Highway 102 before winding up Kearney Lake and then back to Thompson’s home.
It meant the world to Thompson. Her love of tractor-trailers stemmed from her younger years when she used to drive a stick shift. She said she’s always been fascinated by a tractor-trailer’s much larger and complicated standard transmission. That, and their sheer size and the expansive view they offer on the open highway.
The experience was all she hoped it would be.
“It’s amazing; you can see everything; the seats are comfortable. … It made me feel special.”
Thompson moved to Halifax from Northern British Columbia late this summer. Only a few months later, she received the diagnosis. But, in the short period of time she’s come to love the city and the warmth of its people.
“I’ve only been here for a couple of months and look at all the people who came out for me,” she said, “I’m amazed.”
Despite the diagnosis, Thompson said she’s had a good year, spending more time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed a wonderful trip to India.
Before the parade started, Wilson hoped he’d be able to put a smile on Thompson’s face. He succeeded.
“What a day,” he said. “I’m glad to see her smiling. She’s living life. I’m proud that we all worked together to make this day happen.”
Sarah Kennedy, a rear loader driver with ReGroup, participated because she said it’s the right thing to do. Kennedy said she went through thyroid cancer and was grateful for the support when she needed it. This was her way of giving back.
“That support meant the world to me,” said Kennedy. “Going through cancer can feel very lonely sometimes. You need that support to lean on whether it’s a complete stranger or family and friends.”
Thompson’s kids, Joe and Megan Thompson, said they were grateful to Kennedy and everyone else who made the convoy happen.
“I’m just really happy that everyone was able to help her out,” said Joe. “She’s always been a strong lady in my mind, and she’s always tried to enjoy life. Seeing her with a smile on her face just made me really happy.”
