On Saturday, Nov. 1, eight-year-old cancer survivor Cameron Acker will walk the streets of New Orleans in honor and memory of children battling cancer.
The sixth annual Jazz Half Marathon and 5K will begin in Lafayette Square in downtown New Orleans where the route will run to Audubon Park uptown and back.
According to the marathon’s website, this event is being held to raise funds for New Orleans Children’s Hospital’s cancer program.
In February 2013, Cameron was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, a cancer in which the bone marrow generates too many immature lymphocytes or white blood cells, the National Cancer Institute’s website states.
“Cameron went into remission the week before Easter in 2013,” Cameron’s mother Tricee Acker said. “He has been cancer free for over a year now.”
Cameron is a student at Southside Elementary and said he is ready to walk with his peers.
“It will be fun and it feels good to meet other kids that have cancer,” Cameron said.
Tricee said her son is enjoying life and doesn’t let what he’s going through deter him from his goals.
“He’s come a long way and I’m thankful to God for his blessings and for what he has done and will do in Cameron’s life,” Tricee said.
Cameron still has a chemotherapy port, which currently prohibits him from participating in two of his favorite sports, basketball and football.
However, the soon to be nine-year-old still enjoys cooking, playing his Xbox, fishing with his dad Corey and watching action movies.
“My mom and I pray every morning and night that I will stay in remission,” Cameron said. “It was hard going through chemotherapy. I would tell other kids going through treatments not to worry, it will be over soon.”
Cameron said he plans to attend Florida State University and aspires to be a professional football player for the Seattle Seahawks.
Cameron’s picture was also featured on the walk’s website. The doctors at Children’s Hospital choose a different child to be featured every couple of weeks, Tricee said.
“This walk is for a good cause, not just for my son, but for the other children that have lost their lives to and are battling cancer,” Tricee said. “It’s also a good time for families to meet and share their stories.”
Learn more about the walk at www.jazzhalf.com.
Learn more about childhood cancer at www.cancer.gov and Childhood Cancer Awareness at www.acco.org.