Race for a Cure

My life changed last year. An accident that fractured my skull led to three risky craniotomy surgeries.

Odds were not in favor.

Our lives are precious and ephemeral and we can’t waste any time. My healing journey began from my hospital bed. After 6 months, I’m happy to have fully recovered and now training hard for the Chicago Marathon this October.

My experience inspired me to reflect on a good friend's 6 year old son, Lucas Harashima, a hero in my life. Diagnosed with a rare and incurable pediatric brain cancer, DIPG, he died last year after an 18 month battle. Faced with a traumatic brain event myself, I can only imagine this little boy’s ordeal..And he did it with such a positive spirit and caring soul; never giving up.

Because I was given a chance I wish kids like Lucas get the same. So I am running Chicago in his honor. The Love4Lucas Foundationseeks to fund research towards a needed cure and help families facing DIPG. Brain cancer kills more children than any other cancer, including leukemia, and receives only a tiny fraction of research dollars each year.

I know Lucas' life will continue to inspire me and many to come and I hope it inspires you to give generously now. Let's race for a cure together and make DIPG a thing of the past.

www.love4lucas.org
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Organizer

Jose Papa Neto
Organizer

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