Champion drops in for a different drive

Scott Dixon with Shylo Harrison. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Champion racing driver Scott Dixon dropped into a cancer ward at Auckland City Hospital yesterday to lift the spirits of Shylo Harrison.

Dixon, on a brief trip home from the United States, won the Indianapolis 500 in 2008.

He is one of five sports stars who are ambassadors for the young cancer patients' support group CanTeen.

He designed a bandanna for patients featuring an Indy 500 car and launched the charity's annual bandanna appeal.

Shylo,18, was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year and has had radiation treatment and chemotherapy.

She gave Dixon a ward tour, introducing him to other patients.

"It took him a while to learn how to tie a bandanna. He had a few goes," she said.

Dixon's $4 bandanna and designs by other ambassadors are sold in supermarkets and other retail outlets.

Proceeds finance CanTeen's programmes for the 180 young people aged 13 to 24 diagnosed with cancer every year.

www.canteen.org.nz