‘Unbelievable’: Family gets gift of a new ride
Teen’s cancer care in Miami will be easier to get to.
BOYNTON BEACH — A 2017 black Hyundai Tucson, topped with a blue bow, surprised the Montez family in their driveway Sunday morning.
It was just what the family needed since Maggie Montez, 15, found out her cancer had returned, the family said. The Cancer Alliance of Help and Hope bought the SUV from Rick Case Hyundai with donations received from Season to Share, an annual holiday campaign by The Palm Beach Post, and delivered it at 10 a.m. to their Boynton Beach home.
The Cancer Alliance has paid the Montez family’s rent for a year and is trying to help the family take care of Maggie, who has a form of thyroid cancer.
“We do this daily,” said Cancer Alliance CEO Stanton Collemer. “We give people help and hope.”
Collemer said the gift comes at a crucial time because Maggie will need to go to Miami for appointments with doctors and treatment at Jackson Memorial Hospital, and the family doesn’t have a better form of transportation. Her next appointment is Friday.
The family used to rely on an older red Ford Explorer, which frequently has issues, said Maggie’s father, Oscar Montez. The family just paid $1,700 for a new engine.
“It works when it wants to,” said Maggie’s mother, Roseanna Montez.
Oscar Montez said Cancer Alliance officials told the family to expect a present but didn’t mention the SUV.
“I expected a gift card or a basket or something,” he said. “Never a car.”
The family was greeted by board members and employees of Cancer Alliance, who were wearing Christmas hats, in their driveway and presented the vehicle.
store,” Roseanna Montez told to The Postand Rick Case for Lawson, as her younger chil- making this happen. dren Abigail, 14, and Ace, “As a cancer survivor, I 10, played in the front seat. understand the work Cancer Oscar Montez said he was Cancer Alliance and Rick Alliance does for the commuspeechless and repeated Case negotiated a reduced nity is extremely important.” “unbelievable.” Roseanna rate on the SUV. Collemer Collemer said he interMontez said she wanted to said the nonprofit paid viewed the family six months cry and her legs were shak- $22,000 for the car, tags ago. Maggie’s siblings sleep ing. Maggie said the SUV and license and $1,800 for on air mattresses and use was cool. six months of auto insurance. plastic bins to store their
Rayn Lawson, of Rick Case, This was the first time Can- clothes. gave Maggie and her mother cer Alliance, which provides The family “was dealt a a test drive. Lawson said the aid to 200 families in Palm horrible hand in life,” Colfamily will use features of the Beach, has given a vehicle lemer said, “but they have SUV including Bluetooth and to a family. kept a positive attitude.” roadside assistance. Board member Melissa
“I feel like a kid in a candy Parker said she was grateful