Michael Nute has been an automobile enthusiast for as long as he can remember. Ask the Plano, TX, senior business service network specialist about his first car, a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle given to him by his brother, and he speaks fondly, with more than a hint of longing.
But Nute’s interest in restoring and driving vintage autos transcends mere appreciation of horsepower, technical specifications and the beauty of a sleek sports car exterior. Its fundamental allure lies in the sense of community he shares with fellow collectors.
And it isn’t the only kind of community that calls to him.
In 2011, Nute lost his sister Lawanda to breast cancer. He lovingly remembers her warmth, her smile, her care and concern for others — and, unsurprisingly in their family, her love for her ’76 Camaro.
While Lawanda was undergoing treatment, Nute was impressed with the resources he encountered for cancer patients and their families.
“They went above and beyond to make us feel like we weren’t in this alone,” he said. “It made me want to give back.”
Nute’s family was touched by the outpouring of practical and emotional support from loved ones and others — support, they realized, that unfortunately is not readily available to everyone. In their grief, Nute and his family saw an inspiring way forward to honor Lawanda: creating a charity, Classic Cars for the Cure.
For more than a decade, the nonprofit has produced car shows to raise money for care packages that are delivered to cancer patients and for additional services — including meals — for them, caregivers and family members. Classic Cars for the Cure also hosts an annual toy drive for young cancer patients at two hospitals in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
With hundreds of patients served since it began, care packages are the organization’s signature initiative. Each one is customized for a patient’s needs.
Packages may include food, gloves, blankets, books, games and local sports memorabilia. Nute goes to great lengths to ensure that deliveries are hygienic and covered in plastic to protect immunocompromised individuals. He hopes that each care package will provide moments of happiness for those who might feel isolated at a hospital or at home.
“I just want to put a smile on their faces; they’re going through so much,” Nute said. “Something as small as treating them to dinner or a movie can go a long way in providing comfort and normalcy during such a difficult time.”
According to National Cancer Institute data, nearly 40 percent of men and women will develop cancer during their lifetimes. And while scientists tirelessly work to find new treatments — someday reaching the ultimate destination: a cure — Nute is grateful to express care along the way, all while producing events that other car enthusiasts will enjoy:
“Cancer patients fight so hard every day. It’s inspiring, and I’m happy to lend a hand in whatever way I can.”
This article originally appeared in the January 2026 issue of The Eagle magazine.
