11-year-old Elias, a young rally fan from Tampere, has been through a tough battle with a brain tumor. Diagnosed in 2024 with malignant glioma, a common but aggressive childhood brain tumor, it has taken a lot from the boy, but not his passion for motorsport. Elias admired Kalle Rovanperä, the three-time world champion, and dreamed of being able to talk to his idol. His last wish, organized through Make-A-Wish Finland, was simple but heartwarming: to call Rovanperä. However, what happened next touched the entire Tampere University Hospital and spread like wildfire on social media.
Elias had been receiving treatment at TAYS for months. Doctors had tried surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, but the tumor had recurred, as is often the case with gliomas. According to the AAMU Finnish Children’s Cancer Foundation, 30–40 brain tumors are diagnosed in children under 15 years of age in Finland each year, and although 70% of children recover, long-term effects are common. Elias’ prognosis was poor, and his parents, Laura and Mikko, decided to focus on their son’s quality of life. Elias, who had been glued to the TV watching Rovanperä’s victories in Qatar and Jerez, found strength in following his idol.
Make-A-Wish Finland contacted Rovanperä’s team in early April 2025, just before the Spanish GP. Rovanperä, despite his busy schedule, happily agreed. The call was held on April 23rd in Elias’ hospital room, and the boy’s joy was palpable when he heard Kalle’s voice. “Do you want to come for a ride sometime?” Rovanperä asked, and Elias laughed for the first time in weeks. The conversation lasted 15 minutes, and Elias excitedly told how he had been playing Dirt Rally 2.0 and dreamed of a career as a rally driver. Rovanperä encouraged the boy: “You’re already a champion, fighting so hard.”
But the story didn’t end there. Rovanperä, moved by Elias’s courage, decided to do something unexpected. He secretly flew to Finland after the Spanish GP and arrived at TAYS on April 28 with a surprise: a scale model of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 car, a signed helmet and VIP passes to the next Finnish Rally Championship for Elias’ family. The hospital staff were shocked when the world champion showed up at the ward without any prior warning. “I wanted to see Elias’ smile myself,” Rovanperä said in an interview with YLE. Elias, although in poor condition, was strengthened by the meeting. He held the helmet in his arms and joked that “now I’m ready to drive.”
The incident quickly spread on social media. On X, user @RalliFani22 shared a photo of Rovanperä next to Elias, writing: “This is heartwarming! Kalle is a true hero.” Another user, @SuomiSport, praised: “Sport unites, and Kalle shows what it means to be a role model.” Hospital nurses told Ilta-Sanomat that Elias’ mood improved significantly, and his parents burst into tears when Rovanperä left. Laura said: “This gave Elias the strength to continue, even though time is short.”
Rovanperä’s gesture wasn’t just a PR stunt. His father, Harri Rovanperä, told MTV News that Kalle has always wanted to give back to his fans, especially children. “Elias reminded Kalle of himself when he was young, full of dreams,” Harri said. Dr. Anna-Leena Kuusisto, head of the pediatric department at TAYS, praised Rovanperä: “Moments like this give patients and families hope that cannot be measured.”
Elias’ condition is still critical. His parents have decided to continue treatment, but are now focusing on his well-being. Rovanperä has promised to stay in touch and has invited Elias to the Toyota team if the boy’s condition allows. In Finland, brain tumors in children are rare, but their treatment has improved, and researchers are developing new methods, such as robotic technology, to combat brain tumors. Still, Elias’ story reminds us that sometimes the greatest power comes from human actions. Rovanperä’s visit not only fulfilled the young fan’s wish, but also inspired the entire community to show that heroes can also work wonders off the track.
