"It's my way to honor her legacy!"

After Kymberly Kaslar's mom passed away from pancreatic cancer, she began hosting car shows to raise money and awareness. Her mission of love quickly grew and now raises thousands for research each year

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How is she really gone? Kymberly Kaslar despaired after the loss of her mother, Jolyne Madison Kymberly's world had begun to unravel when Jolyne was diagnosed with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. Despite undergoing chemotherapy for more than a year and a half, the cancer proved unrelenting. In 2011, Jolyne was hospitalized—and soon after, she passed away at just 62. For Kymberly, who had been widowed eight years earlier, the loss was devastating.

I have to find a way to keep her memory alive, Kymberly thought one day, her heart aching. As she reflected on the past, a vivid memory surfaced of how her mom would drive them around their Sacramento, California, neighborhood in her 1970 Ford Torino GT.

There was a metal shifter and an 8-track player, Kymberly recalled with a smile. Mom would play “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by The Mamas and the Papas and sing along to every word.

On Friday nights, the duo would wash the car, and Jolyne taught Kymberly how to do maintenance.

It warms my heart that we had this connection over cars, Kymberly thought. Suddenly, an idea bloomed, What if I find a way to mix our love for cars with a fundraiser to raise money and awareness for people with pancreatic cancer?

Bringing a dream to life