Cotaco plans walk-a-thon for Alex

Cotaco School students and faculty will demonstrate their love and support for Alex Karras, a kindergarten student, by participating in a “Miracles Happen – Team Alex” Walk-A-Thon on Wednesday, April 27.
The event will be kicked off at 8:15 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony on the school track. Afterward, students will be walking throughout the day, wearing T-shirts and bracelets designed especially for the occasion.
A printed handout promoting the walk-a-thon had this to say: “Our school considers this a wonderful opportunity to benefit from a ‘teachable moment’ about compassion and caring for others. We are convinced the ‘unity’ in meeting this special need will speak volumes to our students and help bring awareness to childhood cancer. Miracles Do Indeed Happen!”
The adopted son of Erik and Andrea Kallas, Alex suffers from stage 3 high risk neuroblastoma. While he has completed all of the intensive treatments that the doctors are able to provide, his scans in January of this year showed the cancer still exists. He will continue to have scans and bone marrow biopsies every three months to make sure the cancer is stable and that relapse has not occurred.
While there is no known cure for neuroblastoma, the Kallas family is pleased that their son now a regular kindergarten student and requires little assistance form his aides.
In a recent website message, Andrea stated, “Alex has not had the easiest life, but you would never know that when you meet him. You rarely see him without a mile on his face. We know that God has Alex in the world for a reason and we know that he can overcome the 20-30 percent survival odds that the doctors have given us.  Alex is so strong and tough, and we know that miracles happen. A miracle happened when Alex came into our life, and we know that another miracle can happen now. Please pray for our precious Alex and that he will keep his sweet, loving personality that has won over everyone that meets him.”