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ANTELOPE ISLAND — Lotatoa Ward loves to run.
“It helps me go through tough times,” said the 8-year-old, who goes by Lota.
On Saturday, Lota participated in the 10th annual Antelope Island Buffalo Run. Despite his young age, he looked like a professional.
“He fought us to run (a) half marathon last year. We finally joined them up, and he ran three more after," Lota's father, Keith Ward, said. "I told him if he wanted to I’d join him up for 50-miler, and here he is.”
With his father by his side, Lota set to conquer those 50 miles on Antelope Island, and every step was a powerful one.
“I’m going through a brain tumor, and so I’m fighting it right now,” Lota said.
In October of 2014, Lota was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had several brain surgeries. Initial tests showed the tumor was benign; but three weeks ago, more tests showed the tumor had grown aggressively.
“They ruled it as malignant. It’s starting to show the ugly side,” his mother, Rowena Ward, said.
Doctors said Lota needed chemotherapy, but that didn’t stop him from running.
(Running) kind of fights my tumor. It makes me better and happy.
–Lota Ward
“It kind of fights my tumor. It makes me better and happy,” he said.
Lota decided to start chemotherapy on Monday so he could battle Saturday's race first.
“Makes us know that he’s ready to take on this battle with cancer that he’s fighting,” Keith Ward said.
Family and friends who showed up to cheer Lota on all said he’s a fighter who inspires everyone around him.
“(He's) stronger than any of us, for sure,” said Heidi Boatright, fighting back tears. “He’s a warrior. We love him.”
If you ask Lota, he’s taking the challenge one step at a time.
“I’m trying my best to get through it. and let’s hope I can complete it,” he said.
Lota completed 33 miles of the race Saturday before his legs were just too exhausted to continue, his parents said. Still, he has his sights set on running a 100-mile race next year.
His family said lota has always has a positive attitude, and it’s helped. The day before the race, they got a call that doctors wanted to do more tests before going forward with chemotherapy or a fourth brain surgery.
“They called us and said that, ‘Hey, we’re going to hold off on the chemo because there might be some good news.’ So, there’s the positive thinking right there,” Rowena Ward said.
For more information on Lota's condition, visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lotaourwarrior.
