Mike Thompson officially starts his trip on June 10
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
Beginning on June 10, Mike Thompson will drive across Ontario on his restored 1959 David Brown tractor to raise money for Jillian O’Connor’s family.
In November 2014, CTV Ottawa produced a story about O’Connor, who was diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable form of breast cancer. She was pregnant with her third child, Declan.
The O'Connor family
Soon after her son’s birth in February 2015, chemotherapy treatments and a mastectomy, O’Connor learned the cancer had spread to other parts of her body, including her brain.
Thompson, a semi-retired farmer who now delivers hay for another local producer, saw the interview with O’Connor. Her new son’s name tweaked his interest to help.
“Declan is my grandson’s name,” Thompson told Farms.com. “The idea is that the money we raise will be there for (O’Connor’s children) to use when they go to university or college.” The O’Connor family also includes three-year-old son Landon, five-year-old daughter Myla and Jillian’s husband David.
Thompson restored the David Brown tractor in September 2015 while recovering from a medical procedure of his own.
The 1959 David Brown tractor Mike Thompson will drive during the Drive for Jillian.
Photo: Mike Thompson
A small kickoff celebration for Thompson’s travels was held on May 10, which was Jillian’s 34th birthday.
Thompson officially leaves on June 12. He will drive through parts of Ottawa, Kingston, Bancroft and Renfrew.
On July 10, Thompson will do a tour of Southern Ontario, including Chatham, Walkerton, Dutton and Guelph.
And farmers have been supporting Thompson’s cause.
“I’ve had some really good donations from farmers and other promises to donate,” he said. “It’s been a tough year for farmers with all this rain.”
A Drive for Jill GoFundMe page, Facebook page and website have been set up to follow Thompson’s trips and to facilitate donations.
To date, more than $4,000 has been raised towards the $25,000 goal.