When veteran Jon Stanley was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer, doctors knew he faced an extremely tough battle.
Sadly, his condition worsened severely and it became evident that the terrible illness would claim his life. Jon had a last wish, though; a simple, yet meaningful goal that would help him in his darkest days.
He wanted one of the last things he’d hear to be the sound of motorcycle engines. You see, Jon was mad about motorcycles and felt a very strong connection to his bike.
Little did he know that his wish was destined to be granted, and in the most fantastic way …
Jon Stanley, 61, a biker from way back, was at the end of his long battle with lung and brain cancer when his friends did something really special for him to fulfill his final wish.
He missed the roar of his Harley, the feel of the bike beneath him.
He had one last wish, and that was to hear that roar again.
After hearing of Jon’s dying wish, his brother in law Michael Smith reached out to biker David Thompson. Thompson helped to organize a collaborative event for bikers via social media – the results were incredible.
David wrote in a Facebook post: “I was contacted this morning about 6:30 this morning by Mike Smith through Facebook — and he informed me about Jon, you know he’s terminal, and he’s not looking really good, and one of his wishes was to hear a bunch of motorcycles out his window.
“Sometimes a dying person’s last wish is just to hear the sound of a Harley in their window. This is Jon Stanley he has terminal cancer. I personally met with his family this morning and learned Jon is a vet and was an abate member who has [ridden] for years. This is his new Harley he just got and only rode 3 times! I know this is short notice but bikers take care of bikers! We will meet at Walmart on Ireland Rd at 6 pm and kickstands up at 6:30 tonight 6/12/20017 to ride out to Jon’s house to show him and his family some love and make some noise for him!”
Before long, David’s Facebook post had been shared over 800 times.
Within a few hours, dozens of people had contacted David wanting to lend their support in creating a special moment for Jon Stanley.
“A lot of people think motorcycles are loud and obnoxious, but you know, we’re a big brotherhood, and we take care of each other,” David said.
All in all, over 100 bikers met at a local Walmart and rode out together to Jon’s place.
Jon’s granddaughter Liliana Ramirez revealed that the surprise was all Jon ever wanted.
“Knowing that all this happened for one man. All he ever wanted was him and his wife on that Harley.”
Jon himself was too ill to sit his own Harley Davidson, but his fellow bikers ensured he was able to spend time with his wife on one of the bikes by sitting side-by-side.
BIKERS COME TOGETHER: Jon Stanley's dying wish was to hear the roar of a motorcycle one last time. Hundreds of bikers, both friends and strangers, came together last night to ride and gather outside of his South Bend home to grant his wish. Stanley was even able to briefly join the bikers in a sidecar. Sadly, friends tell us Stanley lost his battle with terminal cancer not long after this emotional tribute.
Posted by WSBT-TV on Tuesday, June 13, 2017
“He got to get on a bike one last time, and that was great,” said Jon’s daughter, Kristy Stewart.
“That’s the last thing he heard, the revving, the bikes. I know he’s happy,” Jon’s wife, Brenda, said.
Sadly, Jon passed away later that same night, just hours after the visit.
His wish was made true by the amazing intervention of a group of bikers, however, and his wife knows he heard them.
“He heard the bikes. He heard them,” she said, as per ABC57.
What a truly heartbreaking story, but one that reminds us even the simplest gestures can make a big difference.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jon’s family. Please share this article to show that bikers have a bad reputation that’s unwarranted!
