The next morning, my brother woke up with pain in his leg. We brushed it off, thinking it was just a growing pain since he’s a big 17-year-old. But the pain got worse, and when we got home, he was limping. We never imagined it could be cancer. After a week in the hospital, we found out he had Ewing Sarcoma.

I’ve always looked up to my little brother, but I never realized how much I could learn from him. Just a year before, he tore his ACL and other ligaments in his other knee, and yet he faced it all with such positivity. Seeing that changed how I look at life.

When he was diagnosed with cancer, his first two questions were, “Can I play football?” and “How can I help others?”

I’m running this marathon to push myself and to raise money for kids who are currently fighting cancer and for those who will face it in the future.

Throughout this past year, I’ve visited him at Children’s Minnesota once or twice a week. Every time, I was amazed by the kind, compassionate, and caring staff. I also saw families and kids in need. I know this money will go toward something truly meaningful.

My goal is $1,000 for every mile. Each mile will be dedicated to someone—a donor, a child in treatment, or a family who has been touched by Children’s Minnesota. On my running hat I will write the name of a different child going through treatment for every $1,000 I recieve. 

Our family has also started the I'm With Alec Endowment at Children’s Minnesota to provide care for kids with cancer and blood disorders. The growing endowment means that each year money will be given to the program to support kids in treatment. I want to help more families receive the same incredible care Alec did.

Even one dollar makes a difference. Beating cancer doesn’t mean life instantly goes back to “normal.” Our family is forever changed (in positive ways) and forever grateful for the care Alec received.