Caden’s Full Throttle, Car Show, Team Caden at Lingenfelter

The Congenital Heart Center at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital is rallying public support with a fundraising campaign to advance care and research for children with devastating heart conditions. Caden’s Full Throttle, Team Cadence Open House and Caden’s Car Show are three separate car-themed events that support congenital heart disease research, raise organ donation awareness and inspire kids at the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. The events take place August 10 – 12.

Caden Bowles was a young boy whose passion for cars burned at a level few can match. He was no average car enthusiast. He would endlessly chatter about cars. He had knowledgeable, thoughtful explanations for his analyses of new product lines and trends in the car industry. His passion for cars wasn’t the only thing that made him special though. Caden was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome – a condition in which the left side of his heart failed to develop, leaving him essentially with only half a heart.

Caden received a heart transplant at just six weeks old. At age seven, he was diagnosed with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, a type of cancer that, unfortunately, can be one of the side effects of taking immunosuppressant drugs to keep the body from rejecting a new heart.

Always a fighter, Caden beat his cancer, but his battle wasn’t over. Unfortunately, his transplanted heart began to fail; he needed a new heart. He was eventually listed as “highest priority” on the transplant list, and underwent surgery to get an artificial Berlin Heart to help him while he waited for another donor heart to become available.

But the wait for a suitable donor was too long. On September 11, 2013, Caden passed away. In his memory, people from all over the country have joined Team Caden to honor his memory and are making a real difference

Friday, August 10, 6:30 – 10:00pm

Caden’s Full Throttle

Zingerman’s Cornman Farms, 8540 Island Lake Rd, Dexter, MI 48130

This event was named after Caden’s newsletter, “Full Throttle,” which was his own hand-drawn publication he made during his long days at the hospital. The fifth annual Caden’s Full Throttle event takes place on the beautiful, sprawling farmhouse lawn of Zingerman’s Cornman Farms. On Friday night, August 10 at 6:30 p.m., this lush green backdrop will be studded with luxury vehicles for guests to explore while enjoying champagne and hors d’oeuvres prepared by the skilled Zingerman’s culinary team along the way. Participants will be treated to a delectable gourmet dinner prepared by Forte Belanger. The event will include both silent and live auctions featuring one-of-a-kind experiences as well as vibrant artwork pieces created by the FCA Design Team. Join us to help raise funds for congenital heart research and pediatric heart transplants, and increase awareness for organ donation. For tickets and more information visit: mottchildren.org/team-caden/event

Saturday, August 11, 10:00am - 4:00pm

Team Caden Open House at Lingenfelter Collection,

7819 Lochlin Dr, Brighton, MI 48116

The Lingenfelter Collection is one of the top rated car collections in the world. On Saturday, August 11, Ken and Kristen Lingenfelter will open the doors to their private collection for public viewing. Donations will be collected at the door to benefit the University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. While strolling amongst the fantastic automobiles, be sure to visit the Wolverines for Life table where they can show you how to register to be an organ donor. Choose to be an organ donor, choose to save a life. http://www.thelingenfeltercollection.com/

Sunday, August 12, 1:30 – 3:00pm

Caden’s Car Show

Located in the P3 parking structure

University of Michigan Hospital

1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Designated parking is in the P2 parking structure.

On August 12, a private car show will be held in the morning for children who are currently hospitalized at C.S. Mott along with their families. The community is invited to attend in the afternoon from 1:30 until 3 p.m. Celebrate the magic of the automobile at this exclusive event. More than 50 rare and unique cars. This year's featured transportation includes Optimus Prime, the Shrekmobile, a 2019 McLaren, ###strong Tickets are $10 and must be purchased online and will not be sold at the door. For tickets and more information visit: ###a href="http://mottchildren.org/team-caden/event">mottchildren.org/team-caden/event