In the car community, passion runs deep — but so does the bond between friends. This year, that spirit is coming to life in a profoundly moving way as friends, family, and supporters rally behind Garet Thomas, a beloved figure in the automotive world who is facing the final stages of his battle with cancer.
Earlier this year, Garet faced devastating news. What began as a search for answers about a growing tumor in his leg turned into months of uncertainty with the wrong specialist. When the truth came to light, time was already short. Thanks to quick action by Valerie and a world-class medical team, Garet underwent an above-the-knee amputation in hopes of eliminating the cancer completely. Initially, the prognosis looked hopeful. But soon after, the tide turned, and scans revealed a far more difficult reality.
Through it all, Garet has remained humble and deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and generosity from his friends, family, and the wider community. His resilience has been nothing short of inspiring.
As the reality of his diagnosis set in, Garet reached out to a longtime friend Alisander “Ali” Hoff with a heartfelt request. Garet had one wish: to experience Monterey Car Week — his favorite event in the world — for what could be the last time, surrounded by the cars, the atmosphere, and the people he loves. In his own words, he hoped to be Ali’s “passenger princess” for a week in Carmel, soaking in the magic of the world’s most celebrated automotive gathering.
Ali, who has been a media fixture at Pebble Beach for years, didn’t hesitate. He rallied his network to make Garet’s dream a reality, securing media access to some of the most prestigious events — including The Quail, the auctions, the Monterey Motorsports Festival, and The Preserve Concours. He arranged a place for Garet to stay, a seat on a friend’s private jet, and committed to personally being by his side.
But Ali’s vision goes further than just giving Garet the experience of a lifetime. He’s working to bring a videographer along to capture the trip so that Garet’s young children will have a lasting memory of their father’s final Monterey Car Week — a reminder of his joy, his courage, and his love for life.
Garet’s journey is one that resonates deeply within the car community — a testament to friendship, shared passion, and the power of coming together in times of need. While many expenses have already been covered through the kindness of friends, there is still a need for financial support to help with costs and to make this trip as unforgettable as possible.
And now, the GoFundMe set up for Garet and his family’s effort is entering a new and critical chapter. As Garet shared in his latest update:
**“WE NEED YOUR HELP BAD… as a community, and people that truly understand our story, you are our only soldiers and advocates to help get the word out. We know $77k already raised looks like a big number, but we were $56k in the hole when that money hit — which literally saved our house and kept us afloat, a blessing from you donators. The rest was used almost immediately for our co-pays and my surgery the very next month.
Our goal with this next round is to look to the future — to my kids and my Wife, to ensure they are taken care of when I’m gone. A good friend of ours who owns a finance company has stepped in to help us set up a specific fund to make the donations grow and help my Wife transition into being the sole provider. When it turns ‘terminal,’ all those other bills and commitments fall away, and it becomes about how much I can stack for my Wife and kids. My Wife has been an absolute warrior through this, doing everything she can to look for work while being by my side. God gave me a lucky one.
I know so many of you have already donated or helped in some way, and we are forever grateful; but if you could find it in your hearts to share again — to post it on social media, tell a friend, or even just share our story with a co-worker — it could change everything. So many people still haven’t heard our story, and even a $1 donation could make a difference.”**
If you can contribute, your generosity will help create memories that Garet’s family will treasure forever. If a donation isn’t possible, sharing his story is just as powerful — ensuring that the spirit of this journey reaches as far as possible.
To support Garet’s journey and his family, please visit his fundraising page or share his story. Every contribution, every share, and every kind word helps fuel this final ride.
