AKRON, Ohio — With donations to the Akron Marathon down this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an Ohio man took fundraising into his own hands to give back to the hospital that is helping save his son’s life.
Kolt and Tristan Codner and their 4-year-old son Andrew live in Poland, Ohio, just outside Youngstown.
In May, Kolt and Tristan noticed swelling around Andrew’s cheeks and thought it was an allergic reaction, but lab results showed that he had B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Andrew is receiving treatment at Akron Children’s Hospital. The treatment lasts the span of 30 months, and the first six months are the most challenging, according to the hospital. Andrew is five months in.
“Doctors are really optimistic about how everything is going,” Kolt said.
While the Codner family stands strong and Andrew continues his battle with cancer, Kolt decided he would find a way to give back to the hospital—helping the place that has helped his family so much—by participating in the virtual Akron Marathon to raise funds for Akron Children’s Hospital.
“Initially, we’d set a goal of $1,000 dollars and we couldn’t be more excited. Earlier this weekend, we went over $10,000. Today, we’re getting close to $11,000,” Kolt said.
Kolt plans to run the virtual version of the marathon, 26.2 miles around the Akron Children’s Hospital campus, on Saturday. He won’t be running it all alone, however.
The Codner family and friends will be outside of the hospital cheering Kolt on and Andrew plans to run the last lap with his dad.
“I want to be just like my dad when I grow up!” Andrew said.
This will be the first marathon Kolt has ever run but he’s ready to pay it forward to the place that has treated his son so well.
“They take good care of me,” Andrew said.
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