Caravan of love for an ailing child

A parade of police patrol cars and classic autos was held May 9 to support a little boy named Jakey Duque during the weekend of his 5th birthday. Jakey has Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine
Glioma, a cancerous tumor that begins in a patient’s brain stem. Jakey returned home after being treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He is the son of Karen and Orlando Duque and little brother to Lyla. The highlight of the celebration? A ride with his mother in a red and white 1961 Corvette convertible owned by Nilo Ventura, Jr., shown above. The family received proclamations and keys to the town and county from Mayor Manny Cid and
Commissioner Esteban Bovo, Jr. Many of the drivers also participate in the annual Cars for a Cure cancer fundraising event on Main Street, which was postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. Jakey loves hot rods and boy did they show up for him. There were 100 muscle cars, antiques and customized motorcycles, too. The ride through town began at Royal Oaks Park and ended at Miami Lakes United Methodist Church.
Photo: Linda Trischitta, The Miami Laker.