Nine-year-old Matteo Lambert ran 120 miles in races across the United States and Canada to raise money for sick kids.

Running For Cancer

Matteo became passionate about running after he ran his first 5k race at age 7.  He ran the race in 2017 for prostate cancer. He finished second in his age group, but his father, Brandon Lambert, says he wasn’t doing it for the prizes.

Brandon told Fox 10 News, “I turned to him and said, ‘Hey buddy, you have to stick around and get your medal.’ He turned to me, completely unprompted, and said, ‘It’s okay, Daddy. We can leave. This isn’t about awards. It’s about helping other people.’” (1)

Matteo’s father connected him with Len Forkas, an endurance athlete who founded the charity Hopecam. The charity helps children in treatment for cancer to stay connected with friends and school through online video. Brandon kept Matteo and Forkas in touch, and Matteo decided he would like to run for Hopecam.

In earlier 2019, the 9-year-old boy set a goal to run 100 kilometers, but then changed it to 100 miles after they realized he would hit his goal early. Along with the goal for miles, Matteo and his family set a goal to raise $5,000. But he also quickly met that goal, too, receiving donations mostly from strangers on Facebook.

Charity For Cancer

In 2019, Matteo ran 120 miles and raised $65,000 across 15 States and through Canada. Matteo has garnered some attention and made great memories already through his admirable goals. Former Vice President Joe Biden sent him a letter congratulating him for his efforts. He also met Cubs first basemen, Anthony Rizzo, while participating in a race in Chicago. They took a photo together, and Rizzo later hit a grand slam at that game against the San Diego Padres, stating it was for Matteo.

Matteo started his own organization called Off the Charts Club with the help of his family and the CORE Foundation. His goal is to continue running races, raising money, and to visit children in hospitals throughout the country. The mission of Off the Charts Club is to “alleviate the stress of medical charts” and help sick kids have more positive and fun-filled lives. CORE Foundation aims to provide pediatric cancer patients with books, personalized capes, and other items to inspire them to continue. They also offer emotional support to chronically ill children, raise funds for other organizations to provide technology and literary resources for kids with cancer, and to create opportunities for youth to foster leadership skills and community service. (2)

As part of the Club, Brandon explained that they hope to use funds to publish a children’s book, and visit hospitals to do readings and give the book to patients. The website also says they’ll use funds to continue to promote athletic events with goals for helping kids be kids. (2)

“He’s kind of the adult in the house. He’s been a very easy child to parent,” Brandon told Fox 10 News. “Matteo has just always wanted to help people who are less fortunate.”