“I want to be a racer!” said 7-year-old cancer patient Ragil Panca Raharjo while watching a high-speed car race featuring cars negotiating difficult tracks with sharp bends against other fearless racers. Watching gave him a real sense of the beauty of racing.

It was even more exciting for Ragil when he had the chance to sit next to a national racing champion.

“My heart was pounding so hard, but it was very nice,” said Ragil after completing three laps around the circuit. He could not take his eyes off the cars passing through the laps, cheering on each car that was apparently faster than the others.

For Wulandari, nothing makes her more happy than to see her younger brother Ragil staying active and happy despite his anguish in a long struggle against his painful illness, first diagnosed when he was only three.

Ragil is one of 20 children with cancer who were invited by Sahabat Bangsal Anak (SABA) or “Friends of the Children’s Ward”, a nonprofit organization that supports children with cancer, watching them test drive race cars at “Fastron Gold Time Attack 2011 Series 2” held by RFT Autospeed at Sentul Circuit last week. About 75 racers, both amateurs and professionals, joined with the competition.

Accompanied by their parents, children with malignant cancers such as neuroblastoma, which forms in nerve tissues and is among the most common forms of childhood cancer, spent time not only to watch their cars race, but also to chat with the racers.

They are cancer patients from children’s wards in three hospitals: Harapan Kita Children and Women Hospital, Dharmais National Cancer Center and Fatmawati Hospital.

National car racer Rizal Sungkar said Fastron Gold Time Attack was a three lap-car racing competition specially designed to allow modified daily runaround cars to join the competition.

“It is good to see that many young people are skilled enough to drive their cars at high speeds. Unfortunately, they do it in the wrong places, such as public roads. It’s very dangerous. This competition is trying to give the young racers a chance to drive their cars at dangerous speeds, but on the right track,” said Rizal, who has initiated the competition with other young national racers, including Moreno Soeprapto and Reza Herjuni.

The competition, he said, aimed to provide young racers more discipline in driving their cars at above average speeds.

“Although some of them are not professional racers, they have in fact high awareness of the risks of unsafe car racing, and they are now more disciplined in wearing safety equipment, such as safety belts, helmets and required attire at the races,” Rizal told The Jakarta Post.

Using a megaphone, Rizal repeatedly told the racers that they must ensure the safety of “their guests” before touring the circuit.

With the test-driving, he said, the racers wanted to give children with cancer opportunities to experience the delightful sensation of automotive activities, especially car racing.

“I hope this can inspire them for not losing their enthusiasm in pursuing their dreams,” said Rizal.

Established on April 7, 2011, the SABA has initiated several initiatives to help cheer children with cancer, especially those from low income families. The group distributes toys and story books and accompanies children for other activities, including watching children’s movies.

“We are also conducting renovations and redecorate programs for children’s wards in several hospitals so children can enjoy a more friendly environment rather than the more familiar scenario for [abandoned] children,” said SABA volunteer Benny Junito.

Regaining a positive outlook is critical for enabling children with the path to finding their own victories, he said.

— JP/Elly Burhaini Faizal

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