Around 200 bikers came together to fulfill a dying man’s wish who wanted to hear a Harley’s roar one last time.
Biker Jon Stanley wanted to hear the revving of a motorbike engine before he died, just months after he was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer in 2017.
When a group of bikers heard about his dying wish they rallied together, going that extra mile to make sure his last moments were special.
Jon, 61, was coming to the end of his battle with cancer when his brother-in-law, Michael Smith, decided to help fulfill his final wish.
As reported by The Epoch Times, Jon was a biker through and through and missed the roar of his Harley. All he wanted was to hear that roar one last time.
Michael, determined to do anything he could to help his brother, contacted local biker David Thompson who immediately put out a rallying cry to fellow bikers on social media.
Take a look at his post on Facebook below:
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…
Posted by David Thompson on Monday, 12 June 2017
Addressing his friends, David shared a picture of Jon next to his brand new Harley, noting that he was only able to ride the bike three times before he became ill.
He then asked fellow bikers to meet at Jon’s house in South Bend, Indiana, so he could hear the engines one last time.
David wrote:
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 rode 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 6pm and kick stands 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!
It took just six hours to get 200 people and more than 100 motorbikes to come along and fulfill Jon’s final wish; as he lay in bed on June 12, 2017, the bikers gathered outside with their engines revving.
Jon’s family then brought him outside and sat him in a sidecar so he could feel the vibrations one last time. Bikers from different cities, regions, and districts showed up and witnessed the touching moment.
Tragically, Jon passed away a couple of hours later in his wife’s arms, but his loved ones gained solace from knowing his final wish was granted in such a lovely way.
Rest in peace, Jon.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
If you have a story you want to tell send it to UNILAD via [email protected]
A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).