1953 Austin-Healey Coast-to-Coast Trip to Fight Cancer

When finding themselves in turning points during life, people often do what pleases them most. In John Nikas’ case, who was diagnosed with cancer, his absolute pleasure is driving. He decided to do something memorable after he found out of the little time he had left after being diagnosed with the terrible disease. His plan includes a fund-raising campaign which is called “The Drive Away Cancer Challenge”.

The campaign is a fund-raising effort for cancer charities and another part of the amazing adventure journey is for Nikas who has the terrible disease. The 5,800-mile coast-to-coast drive is just in time for the vintage car festival later this month in Monterey California. John Nikas of Irvine and his 1953 Austin-Healey 100 left Huntington beach on Monday on a solo drive to the East Coast and will turn around and head back to California.

Nikas is carrying Sharpie markers so the people he meets can write the names of loved ones affected by cancer on the sports car. It's worth mentioning the fact that by the time he left Monday morning, the car had already 100 names written on it.

This idea might surprise some people but for him came naturally as he was also a member of the Southern California Austin-Healey car club. "It's a perfect metaphor for people living with cancer. If this car can even make this attempt, and actually make it, it says a lot. It's so easy to just get depressed and just sit and wait, and maybe driving a 60-year-old car across the country isn't what everyone would do, but it's about doing something productive in the time that you have." John Nikas was quoted as saying by NBCLA.