Tesla bumped dying man up the production queue so he can have his Model S

Ryan Wagner from Chicago is a dad, a husband, and a Tesla enthusiast. In 2013, at the age of 29, he was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. The same week, he learned that he will be a father. His son, born August 10th, 2014, was diagnosed with a rare disease (1 in 5 million) called primary hyperoxaluria. He needed both a liver and kidney transplants – he has since received a successful liver transplant, but he is still waiting for a kidney.

What does any of this have to do with Tesla?

Wagner’s cancer has spread to his lungs and lymph nodes. He now has a stage 4 metastatic colon cancer for which the 5-year relative survival rate is only about 11%. It pushed him to accelerate his life goals.

He wrote in a blog post:

“Well, a few months ago we decided that we needed to accelerate some of our goals in life as I continue treatment for incurable cancer. When life-changing things like cancer and double-transplants enter your life, your perspective changes.”

His first goal was to pay off his house for the welfare of his wife and son, but his second goal (and “dream”) was to own a Tesla, so he ordered a Model S at Tesla’s Chicagoland store.

The store’s team learned of the Wagner family’s situation throughout the ordering, production and delivery process. According to Ryan, the team managed to bump him up the production queue so he can get his car sooner.

This is extremely rare. Elon Musk wouldn’t even let his cousin, Lyndon Rive, get a special treatment when he ordered his Model S.

The Tesla Chicagoland team went one step further and asked Ryan to make sure he brings his son when taking delivery of his new Tesla:

“The Chicagoland team all pitched in and got him one of the Radio Flyer vehicles that is essentially a mini Tesla complete with a personalized license plate that had his name on it! (pictured above)”

The generous gesture won the congratulations of Tesla President of Global Sales and Service, Jon McNeill:

Happiness is working with people who are super inspiring. Check out an amazing example of caring: https://t.co/0zKQq61hho @TeslaMotors

— Jon McNeill (@jonmcneill) August 30, 2016

Amazing example of caring indeed. Ryan is keeping everyone updated on his family’s story on his Facebook page.