After Losing His 10-Year-Old Son to Cancer, Dad Runs 240 Miles to Give Back to Other Families

One dad is running in memory of his child, who died from cancer. Proceeds went to families with a child who has cancer and cancer research. And the distance the dad went to? 240 miles.

Running in Memory of a Child with Cancer

RELATED: Hospital Staff Rally to Help Couple Say ‘I Do’ Amid Bride’s Rare Cancer Diagnosis

Runner Matt Meo’s “amazing” 10-year-old, Landon, died of brain cancer in 2022. He started his voyage to the Pacific coast on Feb. 25. In the end, he’d like to give three cancer families $10,000 each, and another $10,000 to cancer research.

Matt finished his race, but people can still donate on the project’s PayPal page.

Matt described the mission as an “insane 5-day adventure” and carried photographs of his son, children from those three cancer families, and other kids who have survived, or died from cancer, on his run.

He dedicated certain miles he ran to specific children.

“We’re running together. I’ll be carrying these 63 pictures with me during the run. 14 fighters, 24 survivors, 25 forever. Some local, some as far as Ireland, U.K. and Australia,” he said.

Supporting Cancer Families, and Supported by Them, Too

The cancer families cheered Matt throughout the race and met him at checkpoints. They also greeted Matt at the finish line.

“The further I go, the more I feel him,” Matt said of Landon. “I just kinda let it happen naturally ... it’s super powerful because it’s leaning on the strength that he showed me … he showed me how to live life the right way, and I'm just trying to emulate that.”

One parent in one of the cancer families, Lorina Tamariz, said, “Thankfully we have all these cancer families who have gone through similar things and we instantly connect. Kids instantly connect because they are going through it, too. It’s just honestly rallying behind the families and supporting them.”

Throughout his journey, Matt had several significant stops, remembering Landon. One was a school’s memorial painting in his memory.

Going Through Cancer ‘Way Harder Than 240 Miles’ Dad Says

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Diagnosed With Bone Cancer, Young Soldier Reunites With the Dog He Loved Overseas

“This is about mental endurance, it’s not about physical endurance,” Matt said. “Seeing my son go through what he went through, knowing what all of these kids go through, that’s way harder than 240 miles.”

It’s beautiful and touching that Matt would choose to not only honor his son’s life this way, but also go to tremendous effort to raise money for these families and for research. I’m sure Landon would be very proud of his dad.

WATCH: After Losing His 10-Year-Old Son to Cancer, Dad Runs 240 Miles to Give Back to Other Families

LISTEN: Woman Made a Cemetery Home Until Kindness Changed Her Life | FedEx Worker Gives Birth at Work, Didn't Know She Was Pregnant

h/t: People

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/KCRA 3

Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.