Miles of Magic with Leia's Kids
Join us in creating magic for children battling cancer through
Miles of Magic! Our goal is to raise $100,000 by January 2026 to provide hope, support, and resources for these courageous kids and their families. Choose how you’d like to make an impact:
1. Pay the Mileage: Donate $26 to sponsor one mile of the marathon.
2. Monthly Magic: Commit to $26 per month until race day in January 2026, fueling hope with every step.
3. Sponsor a Child: Directly support a child battling cancer. Half of your donation will go directly to that child and their family, offering much-needed assistance during their journey.
Every donation helps us move closer to the finish line of providing care, joy, and unwavering support to these brave children. Together, we can make every mile magical!
Honored Teammates
Monroe DeLuca
Monroe DeLuca is a sweet and spirited 7-year-old girl, born on November 29, 2016. She has a love for all things princess and girly, embracing her playful and vibrant personality. Monroe’s family describes her as a light in their lives, bringing joy and laughter despite the challenges they now face.
Monroe was diagnosed with DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma), a devastating childhood brain cancer. While she is not currently receiving treatment, the family is preparing for her to begin participation in a clinical trial through UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Monroe shares a close bond with her older brother, Jackson, who is 10 years old and lives with autism. Together, they bring so much love to their family, which includes their devoted parents, Amanda and Sal DeLuca.
The DeLuca family’s biggest challenge has been navigating Monroe’s sudden diagnosis and its bleak prognosis. They are holding on to hope and praying for a miracle for their sweet girl.
Her family’s love and resilience inspire everyone who meets them, and they remain focused on cherishing every precious moment together.
Aden O’Connor
Aden O’Connor is an 11-year-old boy, born on December 9, 2016, with a strong spirit and an incredible love for soccer. Aden is bravely battling ALL T-Cell leukemia, having been diagnosed on June 17, 2023. His journey has been filled with unimaginable challenges, including brain bleeds, pancreatitis, and steroid-induced diabetes. In October of last year, Aden’s condition became critical, and his family nearly lost him.
Aden is currently receiving treatment at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, where his resilience and determination continue to inspire those around him. He shares a special bond with his identical twin brother, Alec, who is also a cancer survivor. Together, they remind everyone of the strength and hope that can shine through even the darkest times. Aden is also supported by his loving siblings: Kylee (14), Amora (14), Paris (13), London (13), and Alec, making his family a close-knit team full of love.
Aden can currently be around groups and continues to find joy in playing and watching soccer. His family’s biggest challenges have been family support and meeting their financial needs while navigating childhood cancer.
Aden’s story is one of strength, perseverance, and the unbreakable bond of family, as they stand together to support him through every step of this journey.
Skylar Adams
Skylar Adams is a 5-year-old little warrior, born on November 30, 2018, who adores everything Frozen and loves dressing up as Elsa. Skylar was diagnosed with High-Risk Neuroblastoma on October 30, 2023, just one month before her 5th birthday.
In the past year, Skylar has shown incredible strength and bravery. Her treatment journey has been intense and filled with challenges: she has completed 7 rounds of chemotherapy, stem cell removal, and surgery to remove the main tumor. Skylar also endured 7 rounds of combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy, along with 12 days of radiation.
During her battle, she overcame significant obstacles, including having a feeding tube for 8 months and receiving twice-daily Lovenox shots for 6 months to treat a right atrium thrombus. Skylar’s treatment plan continues with at least 3 more rounds of combined therapy.
Throughout it all, Skylar has been treated at Children’s Health in Dallas, where she continues to fight with courage and resilience. Her infectious smile and love for princesses bring joy to everyone around her.
Skylar is lovingly supported by her family: her parents, Nick and Sheena Adams, her older brothers, Chase (12) and Landon (10), and her twin sister, Tenley (5), who shares a special bond with her.
The biggest challenge for the Adams family has been the time spent apart, as their battle with childhood cancer often separates them when they long to be together. Despite the challenges, Skylar remains a shining light of hope, strength, and love for her entire family.
Carlie Jo Johnson
Carlie Jo Johnson is an 18-year-old fighter who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia on April 24, 2024. Carlie Jo’s journey has been marked by perseverance and determination as she undergoes her fifth round of chemotherapy and participates in her second clinical trial. The ultimate goal is to achieve remission and move forward with a bone marrow transplant. While her brother, Hayden, is a half-match, the family has partnered with DKMS to expand the donor registry in hopes of finding a 100% match.
Carlie Jo is currently receiving treatment at UT Southwestern in Dallas. While her immune system can sometimes be affected, she has been fortunate that her counts have not dropped too low on this new trial, allowing her to spend more time around others.
Carlie Jo has big dreams and a huge heart. She was supposed to begin her journey at Texas Tech University this year, a goal she still holds close to her heart. She’s a huge fan of Adam Sandler and the hilarious show Impractical Jokers, both of which bring smiles during tough times.
Carlie Jo’s family—her parents TaLisha and Doug Johnson, her older brother Hayden (21), and her younger sister Lanie (17)—have been her rock through this challenging time. For Carlie Jo, the hardest part of her battle has been missing major Senior Year milestones and being unable to begin her college life with friends at Texas Tech.
Despite these challenges, Carlie Jo’s spirit remains unshaken. Her strength, determination, and hope inspire everyone around her as she continues to fight and look forward to brighter days.
Jose Navarro
Jose Navarro is a 6-year-old warrior bravely fighting B-ALL leukemia, diagnosed on December 27, 2023. Jose is currently undergoing treatment at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, with a plan that will last for a few years to ensure he stays strong and healthy.
Jose’s days are filled with laughter and joy whenever he’s surrounded by the characters of Bluey, his favorite theme. While he cannot be around groups of people due to his ongoing treatment, Jose’s vibrant spirit shines brightly at home, where he spends precious time with his loving family.
Jose’s family—his parents Nancy and Mario Navarro, his siblings Randy (11), Mario Jr. (7), and Adamari (4)—have been his biggest supporters.
Together, they have faced the challenges of this journey with incredible strength. For Jose’s mother, Nancy, the hardest part has been staying strong through this entire process, but her love and dedication to Jose keep her moving forward.
Jose’s resilience and cheerful heart inspire everyone around him. He may be small, but he’s a mighty warrior, full of courage and hope for brighter days ahead.
Pay the Mileage
Every step of our marathon is a step toward hope, support, and brighter futures for children battling cancer. By donating $26, you can sponsor a mile and make a tangible difference in the lives of these courageous kids and their families.
How It Works
26 for 26 Miles: Your one-time donation sponsors a mile of the marathon and helps us reach our goal of raising $100,000 by January 2026.
Fuel the Mission: Your contribution provides critical resources, emotional support, and moments of joy for families navigating childhood cancer.
Monthly Magic
Be part of something extraordinary by committing to
$26 per month until race day in January 2026. With every monthly gift, you’ll help create lasting hope and support for children battling cancer and their families.
Why Monthly Magic?
Sustained Impact: Your monthly commitment ensures Leia’s Kids can provide continuous support and resources to families in need.
Fuel the Mission: Every dollar helps fund emotional support, financial assistance, and joyful moments like Crown-A-Kid celebrations and Mental Health Retreats for teenagers.
Meaningful Connection: By contributing monthly, you’ll be part of a community dedicated to changing lives one step at a time.