Hanford, CA, October 11, 2011 — The whole community will enjoy a special unveiling at the Hanford Farmer’s Market on October 13 when the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central California will join Borba’s Auto Body, a family owned auto body shop in Hanford, in making a local teenager’s dreams come true. Dylan Wilson is an 18 year-old with a cancerous brain tumor. He is currently in remission, but still battling.

Hanford, CA, October 11, 2011 — The whole community will enjoy a special unveiling at the Hanford Farmer’s Market on October 13 when the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central California will join Borba’s Auto Body, a family owned auto body shop in Hanford, in making a local teenager’s dreams come true. Dylan Wilson is an 18 year-old with a cancerous brain tumor. He is currently in remission, but still battling. Make-A-Wish Central California Chapter approached Borba’s Auto Body with a vision to restore Dylan’s Chevy truck and they gladly took the reins and enrolled the community to make this happen.

The Community Unveiling
When:  Thursday, October 13 – 6:45pm
Location:  Hanford Farmer’s Mark in front of Fox Theatre
326 North Irwin Street
Hanford, CA 9323

Dylan’s truck was a surprise from his Uncle Paul on his 16th birthday. He was excited to share how his Uncle called him over to his garage on his birthday to unveil the truck he bought for him.  Together they have put a lot of work into the mechanics of the truck.  Now Dylan wants the truck to look as beautiful on the outside as it makes him feel on the inside.

“When we were approached by Make-A-Wish, we were inspired to get involved and help this kid,” said Borba’s Auto Body. “I can’t imagine what this family is going through. We are happy to be part of something that will give them an opportunity to celebrate. In our family we say ‘bondo’ to explain how we stick together. This project is putting ‘bondo’ in the community and bringing all these businesses together to make a difference. It feels good. It will feel even better to see his face.”

Borba’s Auto Body has brought several businesses together to ensure every detail is perfected. In addition to organizing this restoration, they are also providing all the labor to complete the project. Other contributing businesses include:

Central Valley Upholstery:  full interior
DT Customs:  spray bed liner
Faria Farms:  $100
FinishMaster Basf:  paint and materials
H.A.S. Auto Repair:  mechanics
Hanford Alignment:  wheels and tires
House of Customz:  Stereo
K.A.R. Graphics and Design:  signs for unveiling
LKQ/Keystone:  re-chrome bumpers and other chrome pieces
Panache Salon:  makeover for Dylan’s mom
Valley Oak Cabinet:  bed flooring
Auto Glass Power Plus: new windshield
Tammy Johnson:  Make A Wish volunteer

Borba’s Auto Body added:  “We are so excited for Dylan to see the amount of detail that has gone into this project. He knows it’s being done, but he has no idea to what extent. This truck is beautiful. It feels good to know we live in a community where so many people will step up to the plate to do something good. That’s what Hanford is all about.”

Dylan found out he had a cancerous brain tumor on September 1, 2010 after an MRI and immediately began treatment.  He went through 4 rounds of chemo and 30 radiations in only about 4 months and had a chest and eye surgery.  He was forced to leave high school and was home schooled. Because of his illness it was difficult for him to focus so he decided to take a break and focus on getting better.  He is now in remission, but is still battling. He has a tube shunt in his head under the skin to drain fluid from his brain because of the tumor.  This is to avoid Dylan having to undergo major brain surgery.

Dylan is now a student at West Hills in Coalinga, majoring in child psychology, and his is excited and motivated to be able to further his education and be back in school. He is passionate about helping troubled children.  When interviewed about this experience, Dylan shared most importantly that his mother has been so supportive and has see him through every second. With love and gratitude in his voice, Dylan shared:  “She never left me one night in the hospital. She was there every second.”

About Borba’s Auto Body:
Borba’s Auto Body, Inc. has been in business for over 30 years. An active member of the community, they have sponsored children in their sports along with many other activities and events. Fernando Borba has been involved with the auto body industry since he was nine years old where he was raised in the Azores. In 1975, he moved to the US and began working immediately at a local body shop, and after being here for six years, he took ownership and launched Borba’s Auto Body. His son Brandon has been around the business his entire life. He attended University Technical Institute in Houston, Texas to learn the latest technology in the automotive industry and returned to partner with his father. Over the years, Fernando’s three daughters and his wife have also worked at the shop, making it an authentic family business.  For more information, please call 559-582-2211 or visit at 939 E. Lacey Blvd. in Hanford.

About Make-A-Wish:
Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. From our humble beginnings with one boy’s wish to be a police officer, we’ve evolved into an organization that grants a child’s wish in the United States and its territories every 40 minutes. The Central California Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1986. Since that time, the Chapter has granted more than 1,600 wishes. While the Foundation follows the policies and guidelines of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, it operates as a separate 501(c)(3) organization. All funds raised by the Foundation are used to fulfill our mission in the eight counties we serve. http://centralca.wish.org/

Media Contact: Jennifer Borba von Stauffenberg, Olive PR Solutions, Inc., 619-955-5285, [email protected]

Contact:
Jennifer von Stauffenberg
Olive PR Solutions, Inc.
350 West Ash St
San Diego, CA 92101
619-955-5285
[email protected]
http://www.oliveprsolutions.com