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Instead of Taking Gifts for 12th Birthday, Girl Organizes 'Fun Run' for 4-Year-Old with Cancer

By Erin Coates April 24, 2018 at 10:58am

The selflessness of children never ceases to amaze me. There are so many selfish adults in this world who do things for their own gain, that it is refreshing to see kids take the lead in being kind to one another.

Logan Wilson is no exception. The 11-year-old joins the ranks of children who do selfless acts of kindness out of the goodness of their hearts.

Logan is about to turn twelve, but instead of having a birthday party to celebrate, she has decided to hold a fundraiser to help a 4-year-old with cancer.

“I read a book that inspired me and the main message was to choose to matter,” she told CBS4.

The book is called “Choose to Matter” and was written by two-time Olympic gold medalist Julie Foudy. This book gave Logan the idea to help Piper Waneka.

Piper was diagnosed with a rare cancerous brain tumor in June and “everything changed at that moment,” according to Nelsen Waneka, Piper’s dad.

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma is only found in children and is currently without a cure or treatment.

After meeting Piper, Logan wanted to donate her birthday to holding a fun run to raise money for DIPG. Her selfless act has inspired other kids to cancel their birthday parties as well and join Logan in her fundraising efforts.

“One small act of kindness can cause another one to cause another one to cause another one,” Logan’s mother, Mindy Wilson, said.

Logan’s parents helped arrange a meeting with Piper so that Logan can loop the 4-year-old in on her fun run plans.

“Just to get to know what she likes and to make the run as awesome as I can for her and to make it about her and make it fun for her,” Logan said.

With Logan’s help, Piper’s legacy will be carried on even after her battle with cancer and awareness for DIPG will hopefully be spread.

“I hope they just find a cure and work harder and harder and make it better for families who are experiencing it,” Logan said.

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Community, Women

Erin Coates

Contributor, News

SummaryMore Biographical InformationRecent PostsContact

Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.

Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.

Birthplace

Tucson, Arizona

Nationality

American

Honors/Awards

Graduated with Honors

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon

Books Written

Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future

Location

Prescott, Arizona