Ka-Chow! Alex’s Cars Wish

Disney Cars helped 3-year-old Alex make big strides after his diagnosis and inspired his life-changing wish.

Life on Pause

On July 3, 2025, Alex woke up from a nap with a limp. Just days later, doctors discovered a large brain tumor. “Our world turned upside down,” says Alex’s mom Katie. Within 24 hours, the family was at St. Jude in Memphis for treatment. The results have been remarkable — Alex’s tumor has shrunk by 80%. But the journey hasn’t been easy. “By September, he had lost his ability to walk, talk, he couldn’t even hold his head up,” remembers Katie.

Finding His Drive

Despite the darkness, one thing always lit Alex up without fail: Disney Cars. Alex’s toy Lightning McQueen, named Car-Car, never left his side. “Car-Car and Alex are besties,” says Katie. Cars even motivated Alex to meet his major goals. Alex imagined Mater waiting across the room as he relearned to crawl. With help from his favorite characters, he was standing again. And singing “Life is a Highway” helped Alex find his voice. “We sing it at the top of our lungs now,” Katie says.

The Center of His Wish

Alex’s affinity for Cars made his wish clear: a full Cars experience at Walt Disney World. Alex and his parents even stayed in the Cars area at the Art of Animation Resort. “He had to hug the cars every single night, tell them good morning. My favorite pictures from the trip are just him hanging out with the cars.” says Katie. “It was just magic.”

A Rebirth

Surrounded by loved ones, Alex’s wish trip was more than a vacation. It was a chance to celebrate his strength and perseverance through an incredibly hard time. While he’ll continue treatment for another year, Alex has already accomplished so much. As Alex transitions to less frequent hospital visits, his wish marked a turning point. “This was a trip that was kind of like a rebirth,” Katie reflects. “Like, we get to keep doing this. We get to keep celebrating.