COPPERTON — Mike Massé isn't a runner — never has been.

So while he may not fully understand what motivates people, most of whom he's never met, to brave the chilly December weather to run a 5K benefiting his infant son, he is grateful.

"Having a child with cancer takes its toll in many ways," said Massé, whose 16-month-old son, Noah, is battling a rare type of brain cancer. "My wife has had to quit her job as a therapist just so we can try to stay afloat while we meet Noah's needs."

The attorney with the Salt Lake Public Defender's office was moved when organizers of the 29th Annual Nick Yengich Grandma Gump 5K memorial walk/run approached him about donating* the proceeds of this Saturday's race to Noah's fight. The 5K was started by criminal defense attorney Ron Yengich to honor his brother, Nick, who died in 1984 at the age of 37. The race is held on the first weekend of December because Nick's birthday was Dec. 6, and each year, Yengich donates the proceeds of the race to someone in need. Over the years the race has helped charitable organizations, individuals struggling with illness like Noah and families recovering from tragedies.

This year the 200 or so runners will brave the chilly canyon wind for little Noah Massé, the cherubic toddler with a bright smile and easy nature.

Related:

Utah man sings to pay for 11-month-old son's cancer treatment

A Utah musician has a whole new reason to sing. His 11-month-old son is going through potentially life-saving cancer treatment, and he's singing to raise the money.

"I was obviously flattered and humbled and glad that they were willing to reach out to us in that way," Massé said, who is also a musician and raised money for his son's medical battle by selling a his version of "Let it be" on Youtube in July.

Noah's fight began on July 4 when his parents thought he had a vicious stomach flu and took him to Primary Children's Medical Center. A day later, Mike and Valia Massé were planning how to help their beautiful baby boy prepare for brain surgery and chemotherapy.

Massé said he was so distraught he refused to accept the diagnosis at first. As he and his wife struggled to come to grips with the fight their baby boy faced, he found some solace in the love and support offered to them.

"He has choroid plexus carcinoma, and it's very rare," Massé said. "It's known to be pretty aggressive, and it doesn't have great survival rates. But Noah is doing great in terms of everything we can hope for under the circumstances." Noah Massé underwent brain surgery —' twice —' to remove the tumor and now faces four rounds of chemotherapy.

The experience is something that the Masse's still struggle with — emotionally and logistically.

"I feel like I haven't recovered from the whole thing," he said. "Most parents always have in the back of their minds worries or worst-case scenarios, but they're able to put them away and have more positive thoughts. Having those worries and fears brought to the front of your mind and never having the ability to put them away is difficult."

He said he felt that when Noah was diagnosed with brain cancer he was forever changed.

"I felt like part of my soul died, and I still feel like that," he said. "It's sort of like we're still grieving the life we had, the normalcy that most people take for granted."

It has made him more compassionate, especially at work, even if he doesn't always share his story.

"I am sensitive to people's heartache and pain, even if they don't know why I am able to connect," he said.

Noah is doing as well and has begun the first of those four rounds of chemotherapy. He was admitted to PCMC on Monday and will come home on Saturday — the same day a lot of strangers run 3.2 miles for him and his family.

"I will pick him and his mom up at the hospital, drop them at home and try to make it out to the run to offer my support," Massé said.

The race honors the life of Ron Yengich's brother, Nick, as well as the late Draper City judge Gerry "Grandma Gump" Enniss, who walked across the state of Utah twice to benefit the Children's Justice Center.

The race starts in the historic Copperton City Park and winds through town up into the canyon.

Yengich and those who help him host the annual run are proud of the fact that the event is held in any kind of weather. While the same core of loyal, hardy runners show up each year for the event (which is complimented by a holiday bazaar and lunch benefiting a local church), it's also an opportunity for local runners to give a little meaning to a Saturday morning training run. Both walkers and runners are welcome (as well as cheerleaders), and participants can sign up Saturday morning before the start of the race or by emailing organizers at myrleen@qwestoffice.net.

Massé has taken to chronicling the journey he and his family are taking as they seek the best treatment and care for Noah on caringbridge.org. It's a way to share his pain without spending his days in tears. He can inform friends and family of facts and feelings without reliving the agony of each moment dozens of times each day.

"We're so grateful to have so many tenderhearted people in our lives who can share our joys, and more recently, our tears," he wrote. "The prognosis is tragic and devastating. It's difficult to grasp onto any hope when all you're getting is pessimistic statistics. But babies CAN and HAVE survived this, whatever the odds might be. So Noah is going to require a constant stream of miracles of varying sizes to pull through this. And however helpless you and I may feel, don't you DARE take him off your prayer list for the foreseeable future."

And for good measure, heading out to Copperton for a 5K might not be a bad idea either.

*ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.Twitter: adonsports Email: adonaldson@desnews.com

Related topics