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THE MESA TRIBUNE | OCTOBER 24, 2021
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Mesa boy, 9, honorary cancer run starter BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE Tribune Contributor
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9-year-old Mesa boy was the honorary starter for the Children’s Cancer Network’s 11th annual run to fight last weekend at Salt River Fields. The Run to Fight Children’s Cancer celebrated Arizona’s cancer-fighting superheroes and honored those who have lost their battle while raising awareness and funds for Arizona cancer families in need. This year’s race featured two-time cancer survivor Christian Lopez as the honorary starter. “Each year we look for a family who represents all families and the challenges and hardships they face with childhood cancer,” said Patti Luttrell, co-founder and executive director of CCN. Christian’s journey hasn’t been easy. When Christian lost sight in his right eye in 2016, doctors discovered a “Spider-
Man-like” tumor weaving a web around his brain. Surgeons removed as much of the cancer as possible and monitored six other small tumors. The tumors grew, necessitating a regimen of oral chemo pills. Fortunately, the tumors are now virtually unnoticeable. Christian is now blind and on his second round of chemo. Yet, he hasn’t let cancer limit him. Instead, he stays busy riding his bike, playing the drums and doing karate, according to his mother, Brenda Lopez. While celebrating his own progress and resiliency, Christian inspired others as the honorary race starter. CCN played a large part in helping the Lopez family overcome challenges, Brenda said. “We saw so many families who haven’t had resources and the difference that it can make in a family’s ability to rise to the challenge and ability to cope,” Luttrell said, recalling her own experience when
her son had cancer. “You feel very alone,” she said. “That was somewhere we wanted to make a difference.” CCN picks up where hospitals and insurance companies leave off, serving as a primary point of contact for families from the time of diagnosis, throughout their cancer journey and into long-term survivorship. The nonprofit lends financial support to families, promotes education about cancer-related issues, and sponsors activities that build the self-esteem of childhood cancer patients and their siblings. When Grand Canyon University started the Run to Fight Children’s Cancer 11 years ago, CCN was just a beneficiary of the race, Luttrell said. It wasn’t until three years ago that the University handed over the reins for CCN to further the mission and grow it larger. The race raised more than $100,000 for pediatric cancer research and care. ■
Though cancer has left him blind, 9-yearold Christian Lopez isn’t letting the disease define him. (Special to the Tribune)
Mesa woman creates benefit concert for stricken dad BY CECILIA CHAN Tribune Staff Writer
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eo Flake looked forward to his retirement in January after working as a truck driver and heavy-equipment operator. But before the 67-year-old Heber resident could enjoy it, he was diagnosed with ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in February. The progressive neurodegenerative disease affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, leading to eventual paralysis and death. But there is an experimental treatment the family wants to try but it comes at a hefty price – $1,000 a week for four weeks. The treatment is not FDA-approved and therefore considered experimental so Medicare and health insurance will not pay for it, according to daughter Taia Joy Flake of Mesa. So, in August Taia began putting out a call on social media for people willing to
LEO FLAKE
perform in a benefit concert to help her dad pay for the treatment. Over a dozen performers from through-
out the Valley answered her call for the benefits concert to be held later this month at a Gilbert church. Several performers are from Hale Centre Theatre, where Taia worked before the pandemic forced layoffs. “By the time he was diagnosed he lost muscles in his hand and in his thumb,” said Christine Flake, adding her husband had gone to nine doctors for almost three years before he was diagnosed. Today, Leo has lost 42 pounds of muscles in his chest and shoulders and he has lost the use of his arms. The 5’9” Heber resident went from 230 pounds down to 188 in a matter of months. “It went quite quickly,” Christine said. “His shoulders are like skin and bones now.” There is no cure for the disease and the two FDA-approved drugs for treatment such as Rilutek prolongs life by three months on average. “All they do is extend their life two
to three months and by that time, they don’t want their lives to be extended,” Christine said. Small-business owners and local artists have donated toward a silent auction to help the family. “I have lots of wonderful friends from Hale and from the Valley and in Gilbert that really rose to the occasion,” said Taia. The goal is to raise $4,000, enough for the first month of treatment, she said, adding her dad has remained hopeful through his ordeal. “Mentally, he has not changed,” she said. “He is optimistic. It’s a battle because you lose another part of yourself and that is really discouraging. He is trying really hard and doing what the doctors say and the most important thing is to stay active.” She added her dad is a man of faith who believes in God’s plan, which keeps him going.
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