Arlington man’s hot rod in race to save infant

Ron Cook, 53, has been trying to sell a 1957 Chevy Bel Air that he hasn’t used in two years since retiring from drag racing.

Recently, though, Cook heard about 7-month-old Casen Buswell. The Puyallup baby was born with a rare medical condition and his family is trying to raise $50,000 by November for his medical treatment.

So Cook, of Arlington, decided to raffle his car and donate all proceeds to help Casen and his family.

“I don’t have a lot of money, but I don’t care as long as the baby has a chance to live,” Cook said.

To help spark interest in his classic car, Cook raced it Sept. 30 at the Evergreen Speedway in Monroe to show that it can still eat up a quarter-mile in less than 10 seconds.

His friends and family are helping him sell the $20 raffle tickets. He’d planned on selling them at Railroad Days in Granite Falls this past Saturday.

Randy’s Off-Road &Diesel Performance and Brown’s Automotive Machines, both in Marysville, are also selling tickets.

The winning ticket will be picked Saturday morning at the Evergreen Speedway by Jenna Buswell, Casen’s mother.

What Cook is doing has brought the family some hope, she said.

“He’s a phenomenal man,” Buswell said. “It restores my faith in humanity. As long as we have people such as Ron, we are going to come through.”

Casen has an extremely rare vascular condition called glomuvenous malformation plaque type, which causes his blood vessels, skin and muscles to harden.

It’s a progressive genetic disorder. Without treatment, Casen will suffer chronic pain and difficulty in breathing, and the condition could ultimately lead to heart failure.

He needs laser treatment for three years and several surgeries to remove blood vessels in his chest and belly, arms, upper shoulders and back, Jenna Buswell said.

Treatment for the disorder hasn’t been done in the United States. So the family has been flying Casen to Brussels, Belgium. The family estimates treating him for the next few years will add up to $300,000 to $400,000 in travel and medical costs, she said.

The family has held several fundraisers and they have set up a web page for people who’d like to help: www.giveforward.com/CasenBuswell.

Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.

About the raffle

Ron Cook is selling raffle tickets for his 1957 Chevy Bel Air. All proceeds are to help 7-month-old Casen Buswell, who suffers from a rare vascular condition.

The $20 raffle tickets can be purchased at Brown’s Automotive Machines, 9113 State Ave. Suite C, and Randy’s Off-Road &Diesel Performance, 14702 Smokey Point Blvd., both in Marysville.

People can also visit www.giveforward.com/CasenBuswell.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.