From sketchbook to speedway: One child's dream drives hope for kids with blood cancer

• Valvoline™ Global Operations, Blood Cancer United and Hendrick Motorsports unite to transform treatment and care for children with blood cancer.
• Twelve-year-old cancer survivor's custom design for William Byron's No. 24 Valvoline™ Chevrolet aims to inspire joy, raise awareness and drive support for Blood Cancer United's Dare to Dream Project.
• Fans can donate for a chance to win a premium race experience and other prizes.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- When Palmer Goforth was in the hospital undergoing treatment for blood cancer, drawing was his go-to activity. It became an outlet for creativity, hope, and resilience.

Now a survivor, the Charlotte-area 12-year-old can add race car designer to his resume. Through a collaboration between Valvoline™ Global Operations, Blood Cancer United and Hendrick Motorsports, called "Driving for a Dream," Palmer's artwork has been transformed into a custom paint scheme for William Byron's No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet. Byron will drive this special car at the October 11 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

"Thousands and thousands and thousands of people are going to see my car on the tracks. It's going to be awesome," Goforth said. "I didn't have cancer for no reason. I had cancer so I could impact others' lives, and then, give joy."

The design unveiling comes as September is recognized as both Blood Cancer Awareness Month and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

"This opportunity is something Palmer could have dreamed up… something to do with sports, art and palm trees," said Brittany Goforth, Palmer's mother. "Valvoline Global gave us an opportunity like this and you think, well, it wasn't for nothing. He's going to get to share his story and he's going to change someone's life. And no, I wouldn't have chosen this journey, but, man, it's a really cool place we've landed."

The Driving for a Dream collaboration is raising awareness and funding support for Blood Cancer United's Dare to Dream Project, a groundbreaking initiative focused on transforming treatment and care for children with blood cancer.

The Dare to Dream Project is a $175 million initiative to support innovative research, clinical trials, advocacy efforts and family assistance programs that help improve outcomes for children with blood cancer. Valvoline Global has committed donating $1 million over five years to the project.

"At Valvoline, our purpose is centered on moving the world forward. Seeing Palmer's resilience and creativity come to life on the No. 24 car gives that mission a whole new meaning," said Michael Kirtman, Chief Brand Officer at Valvoline Global. "Partnering with Blood Cancer United and Hendrick Motorsports allows us to take this inspiration off the track and drive real, meaningful support for the Dare to Dream project."

"We're thankful to Valvoline Global Operations and Hendrick Motorsports for helping bring greater visibility to the unique needs of children with blood cancer," said E. Anders Kolb, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Blood Cancer United. "That's why we're working every day to accelerate research and improve care, helping children gain more time to experience moments that matter, soccer games, NASCAR races, birthdays and graduations."

Byron hopes the combined effort inspires fans to get involved.

"This is more than just a race car; when I get behind the wheel, it represents Palmer and others' dreams," Byron said, "To carry Palmer's design and help shine a spotlight on the Dare to Dream Project makes this race especially meaningful. I hope fans see the car, learn about the cause and join us in supporting children and families affected by blood cancer."

Enter the Race Against Blood Cancer

For a limited time, every $5 donation to Blood Cancer United entered through Valvoline's Driving for a Dream website, is a donor's chance to win a trip for two for a premium race experience in Charlotte for the playoffs. Fans can also win one of 40+ additional prizes including signed William Byron posters, customs t-shirts, and a signed piece of an official car.

For more information, to donate and enter the sweepstakes, visit DrivingforaDream.com.

See the Custom Car Up Close

Fans can see this one-of-a-kind race car up close at Cars and Coffee, a free event presented by HendrickCars.com, on September 19 from 8 – 11 a.m.

About Valvoline™ Global Operations
Valvoline™ Global, being America's first branded motor oil, is powering the next generation of mobility through innovation for customers in 140+ countries and at more than 80,000 points of distribution. A worldwide leader in future-ready automotive and industrial solutions and best-in-class services for partners around the globe, our legacy of firsts spans 160 years.

With solutions available for every engine and drivetrain, from high-mileage and heavy duty to electric vehicles, Valvoline™ Global is inventing the way forward for mobility and beyond, expanding its heat transfer solutions to high-performance computing.

Together with our parent company Aramco, one of the world's largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, we are driving unparalleled product innovation and sustainable business solutions for what the future holds – on and off the road.

Learn more by following us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
™ Trademark, Valvoline Global or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries.

About Blood Cancer United®
Blood Cancer United® (formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) is the largest global nonprofit focused on blood cancer patient support, research, and advocacy. Since their founding in 1949, the organization has consistently evolved to better serve people affected by all 100-plus types of blood cancer. Blood Cancer United funds innovative research, offers free resources and personalized support, and advocates at state and national levels for more accessible and affordable healthcare for all patients. To learn more, visit BloodCancerUnited.org.

About Hendrick Motorsports:
Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports is the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history. At the sport's premier level, the organization holds the all-time records in every major statistical category, including championships (15), points-paying race victories (322) and laps led (more than 86,000). It has earned at least one race win in a record 41 different seasons, including an active streak of 41 in a row (1986-2026). The team fields four full-time Chevrolet entries in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. Headquartered on more than 150 acres in Concord, North Carolina, Hendrick Motorsports employs approximately 600 people. For more information, please visit HendrickMotorsports.com or interact on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

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SOURCE Valvoline Global Operations