An Ashland youngester facing illness was presented with a special gift Thursday afternoon.

Local modified racecar driver Galen Hassler sold name spots on his racecar's hood and nose piece for $10 each.

He presented the money he collected to Fletcher McCune, 12, while he was at Southern Boone Middle School.

Fletcher has aplastic anemia, which prevents him from playing contact sports and being a normal 12-year-old boy.

His family said Galen's support means the world to them.

"We of course think that Fletcher is a special kid, but it really means a lot to us that other people think he's special too; enough to step in and do something," Fletcher's mother Jamie Metcalf said.

Fletcher was diagnosed in May after he began to bruise a lot.

Aplastic anemia means Fletcher's bone marrow does not make enough platelets or red or white blood cells.

The money Galen raised will help pay for the bone marrow transplant Fletcher will likely undergo early next year.