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Father of Two Committed to Run 2 Marathons in 6 Days for Kids Fighting Cancer

Casey

Meet Casey Baker, a 37-year-old Southern California family man and father of two who is taking on a big challenge. He has committed to running two marathons in 6 days – all in the name of pediatric cancer.

His purpose for taking on this physically and mentally challenging feat started when his son’s classmate and T-ball teammate, Thatcher, was diagnosed with a type of brain cancer. Thatcher was diagnosed in 2016 at the age of two and has not stopped fighting.

“I was Thatcher’s T-ball coach last year and my son was his classmate in preschool. It made me happy each and every week to see him at both practice and the games- he always came with a smile, even if he didn’t want to be there some days,” Casey said.

Casey and his family attended a Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) fundraising event called Dribble for the Cure, to support Thatcher and his fight. He was so motivated by the support of the community and had no idea the effect it would have on him to go out and make a difference of his own. He immediately wanted to do more in raising money to beat this horrible disease.

But Casey is no stranger to giving back to the community. He has always tried to donate to pediatric organizations whether it be St. Jude’s, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or even donating blood multiple times annually through the Red Cross.

Casey plans to run the LA Marathon on March 8, 2020 and will be at the start line at the Catalina Marathon only 6 days later. Catalina is said to be the 4th hardest marathon in the United States.

“I have been training since November and I have no doubt it isn’t going to be an easy task,” he said. “I already had the plan to run my 3rd consecutive LA Marathon and was planning to find another one in 2020. As I was looking through the list of marathons around Southern California, the Catalina Marathon popped up. I was so excited since Catalina is our annual summer vacation spot and my only source of exercise for that week is running. The views are breathtaking the higher up we get. There I was mentally committing to both marathons and then realizing that they are 6 days apart.”

Since he knew this was going to be a long commitment, it inspired him to run for PCRF; a cause that meant funding leading edge research across the United States. “I am a huge fan of Justin Turner (3rd baseman of the Dodgers) and love what the JT Foundation does for many people here in LA,” said Casey.

When asked why supporting PCRF and funding research is important, he said, “It is important because of one simple word – hope. I believe that somehow, somewhere there will be a cure to get rid of this horrible disease. Nobody, especially children, should have to endure the physical and mental anguish that cancer brings with it. Supporting this wonderful organization gives me HOPE that one day there will be a cure.”

Casey is asking others to help support him and his quest to find better treatments and cures for pediatric cancer. Visit his fundraising page to help him make an impact for kids like Thatcher and other kids that may be diagnosed in the future. Find out more here: https://cure.pcrf-kids.org/2marathons6days

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