Fourteen-Year-Old William Schaefer to Ride with Chris Buescher in Mid-Ohio

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A special guest will ride along with Roush Fenway Racing’s Chris Buescher and the No. 60 team in this weekend’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.  Fourteen-year-old William Schaefer’s face appears on the No. 60 Zest Mustang as part of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Patient Champion program.

Schaefer’s mother, Michele, knew something wasn’t right when William began complaining of stomach pain.  After a week of ruling out appendicitis and constipation, a CT scan indicated a five-inch abdominal mass.  His local pediatrician referred William to Nationwide Children’s Hospital where he underwent further testing, including a biopsy.  When he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – Diffuse Large B Cell, he was readmitted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and began treatment

Schaefer’s initial chemotherapy treatment was two weeks, after which CT and PET scans revealed a 51% decrease in the primary abdominal mass.  He has continued to tolerate his treatments well, with little side effects and will be in active treatment for the next couple months.

Even after his diagnosis, Schaefer still enjoys outdoor activities including fishing, being in the woods and riding dirt bikes with his friends. 

“I’m honored to carry another Patient Champion on our Zest Mustang,” said Buescher.  “Obviously it was an extremely special experience last year with Luke and his family.  I’m hoping we can give William just as awesome of an experience.  This program that Nationwide and Mid-Ohio put on is amazing.  It’s so cool to get to see these children come to the track and enjoy being kids.”

Last season in his first start at Mid-Ohio, Buescher started fifth and earned his first career NASCAR XFINITY Series victory, taking then Patient Champion Luke Benner to Victory Lane.  Schaefer hopes that Buescher can continue his winning ways at the 2.4-mile road course.

Schaefer looks forward to the opportunity to meet Buescher and the crew, while learning more about what each person on the team does.

“How many people can say they’ve had their face on a NASCAR race car?,” said Schaefer.  “Now that’s pretty cool!”

Several other NASCAR XFINITY Series teams are also participating in the Patient Champion program, including fellow Roush Fenway teammates Ryan Reed, Bubba Wallace and Elliott Sadler.

Buescher enters the weekend as both the defending winner and the NASCAR XFINITY Series points leader, holding a 24 point lead over second place.

RFR PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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