A Celebrity for a day,
A Rock-Star Forever

Cancer and chronic illness are tough to battle at any age. No child should lose their shine and excitement for life to it. The Ferrari Kid Organization brings a celebrity-like experience to children battling cancer and other chronic illnesses. It allows them to put treatment aside for a day, experience life under the bright lights, and in the fast lane.

The Ferrari Kid is a non-profit organization that gives kids coping with cancer and dealing with any illness the ride and experience of a lifetime. We specialize in making kids celebrities for a day. No needles, chemotherapy, or surgery on this day. From the moment they’re picked up in a Ferrari, the excitement begins. They arrive at a celebrity destination of their choice (the spa, mall, games, dining, and Spurs events) and receive a V.I.P experience, complete with red carpet, paparazzi, and autograph-seeking fans. It’s a day they will never forget and allows them to have fun and simply be a kid. It’s a beautiful day filled with fun, love, hope that they and their families can enjoy. We include the whole family, because cancer not only causes the patient physical, emotional pain and turmoil, the families suffer too.

Additionally, after their EPIC day, the kids and families join us in our monthly support group called THE HOPE TANK. THE HOPE TANK, provides families the tools, resources, and support they need to continue their fight. Think of it as a monthly family reunion where there is no judgment, we celebrate life and enjoy each other as we have fun and participate in activities. Some of the families have been with us for years and this is one of the biggest behind-the-scenes parts of The Ferrari Kid.

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Meet the Founder:
Manuel “Manny” Diotte

Manny was seven years old when the doctors first cut him open, but little did he know he would have surgery at least once a year - sometimes more - for the next several years of his life. After 59 operations, 3 & 1/2 years in and out of hospitals, two years of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, he’s blessed to beat the tough odds against him. The result left scars both inside and out, and like so many other kids, much pain.

In 1987, Manny went to Beverly Hills in California to see Dr. Timothy Miller, Michael Jackson’s plastic surgeon, which was paid for by the Air Force due to his father’s 23 years of service. When he arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport, he saw a Ferrari 328, and asked the owner if I could take a picture next to the car, which forever changed him. At that moment, he felt like a rock star, a real celebrity! The driver let Manny sit in it, and over 20 years later, he still has never forgotten that experience.