In the world of pediatric brain tumors, hope often arrives in unexpected ways and through unexpected people. This October, as the Great American Road Rally (GARR) continues airing every Wednesday at 9 PM Eastern on The CW, I want to shine a light on two men whose actions speak louder than any title, trophy, or scoreboard ever could: Ron Patel, President of New Mexico United, and Demetrio Lee, owner of Elegance Limousines and Black Car Service.
For anyone who hasn’t tuned in yet, you can download The CW app for free and watch the series anytime. GARR is more than a show — it’s a movement of kindness, courage, and community. And these two men embody exactly what that movement is all about.
During the filming of GARR, our FOJ team traveled from Chicago to Santa Monica — 10 cities in 12 days, over 2,300 miles. It was a marathon of love, logistics, and purpose. And in the middle of that whirlwind, Ron and Demetrio stepped forward without hesitation, without conditions, and without ever asking, “What’s in it for me?”
They simply asked, “How can I help?”
Demetrio Lee — The Road Warrior With a Heart of Gold
From the moment we left Chicago, Demetrio and his Elegance Limousines team treated us like family. Not clients. Not passengers. Family.
He didn’t just get us from point A to point B — he got us there safely, smoothly, and with a level of care that made every mile feel lighter. His staff handled every curveball, every schedule change, every emotional moment with grace. When you’re traveling with children battling brain tumors, safety isn’t a luxury — it’s everything. And Demetrio understood that instinctively.
But what struck me most wasn’t the professionalism. It was the heart.
Demetrio leaned in. He listened to the families. He hugged the kids. He became part of the FOJ mission as if he had been with us for years. He didn’t have to do any of it. But he did — because compassion doesn’t need a job description.
Ron Patel — A President Who Leads With Heart
When we arrived in New Mexico, Ron Patel rolled out the red carpet — not for celebrities, not for cameras, but for two FOJ adoptees: seven‑year‑old Sebastian, who is bravely fighting a rare cancer, and his younger brother Santiago.
Ron didn’t just welcome them. He didn’t just honor them. He didn’t just celebrate them.
He signed both boys to contracts for LIFE with New Mexico United.
Let that sink in.
No other president has ever done that.
Ron understood that these children weren’t looking for pity — they were looking for belonging. For identity. For joy. For a team to call their own. And he gave them that in a way that was permanent, meaningful, and unforgettable.
He showed the world that leadership isn’t measured in wins and losses. It’s measured in humanity.
Two Men, One Message: Anyone Can Be a NEDvocate
Ron and Demetrio are proof that you don’t need to be a doctor, a researcher, or a professional athlete to make a difference. You don’t need a medical degree or a scientific breakthrough. You just need a heart that’s willing to show up.
A NEDvocate can come from any sport, any business, any lifestyle, any background. All it takes is the courage to say, “I’m here. I care. I want to help.”
These two men didn’t just support FOJ — they elevated our mission. They made the journey safer, richer, and more meaningful. They reminded us that kindness is contagious, compassion is powerful, and love is the greatest force we have in the fight against pediatric brain tumors.
As we celebrate the Great American Road Rally airing every Wednesday at 9 PM Eastern on The CW, and as families across the country download the app to watch anytime, I want every Future Champions Golf reader to remember this:
Heroes aren’t defined by what they do on the field.They’re defined by what they do for others.
Ron Patel and Demetrio Lee are living proof.
