Miles 4 Matthew 5K/10K & Family Walk Returns to No Label Brewing Co. in Katy This October to Carry Forward a Young Hero’s Legacy
The heart of the Katy community will gather on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at No Label Brewing Co.for the Annual Miles 4 Matthew 5K/10K & Family Walk—a day that celebrates family, fitness, and resilience while raising funds to support families facing pediatric cancer.
The event honors the life of Matthew, a courageous boy whose battle with leukemia and other cancers inspired an entire community.
Matthew’s Journey: A Story of Courage and Resilience
In the summer of 2018, when Matthew was just four years old, he began experiencing back pain—an unusual symptom for a child his age. A routine checkup quickly turned into a life-changing diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), type B at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. Doctors reassured his family of the cancer’s high curability rate, but the road ahead was grueling.
Matthew endured years of chemotherapy, long hospital stays, and countless setbacks. In September 2020, after completing treatment, he proudly rang the bell at TCH to celebrate remission. Life briefly returned to normal—he went back to school, played sports, and looked forward to becoming a big brother.
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But in July 2022, Matthew faced a devastating second diagnosis: Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML), a rare cancer caused by previous chemotherapy. Later that year, he was also diagnosed with T-cell leukemia, which led to aggressive treatments, a bone marrow transplant attempt, and eventually an Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) diagnosis—an incurable form of cancer.
Through every challenge, Matthew remained determined, funny, and full of joy. He continued to play, learn, and encourage those around him, leaving an unforgettable mark on his community. He passed away at just 9 years old, but his legacy lives on through the foundation his family and friends built in his honor: Miles 4 Matthew.
From Heartbreak to Hope: The Creation of Miles 4 Matthew
What began in 2019 as small fundraisers to help cover Matthew’s hospital bills has since grown into a nonprofit dedicated to easing the financial and emotional toll of pediatric cancer for other families. The first official Miles 4 Matthew 5K launched in 2024, and now, the annual fall event has become a powerful community tradition.
As the family explains, “We wanted to ensure that other families in similar situations had the resources they needed to see them through their battles with cancer.”
Matthew (center, wearing a cap) with his parents and baby brother, whose love and support inspired Event Details: Fitness, Fun, and Community Spirit
The Miles 4 Matthew 5K/10K & Family Walk promises a festive atmosphere with something for everyone:
- 5K & 10K chip-timed races begin at 7:30 a.m.
- 1K Kids & Family Walk starts at 9:00 a.m.
- Halloween costumes encouraged, with prizes for the best dressed.
- Each registration includes a Miles 4 Matthew race t-shirt and finisher medal.
- Afterward, families can enjoy food, drinks, and music at No Label Brewing Co.
- A virtual race option is also available, allowing supporters across the country to participate.
The Bigger Picture: Pediatric Cancer Awareness
Events like Miles 4 Matthew shine a light on the reality of childhood cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 14,910 children and adolescents in the U.S. were diagnosed with cancer in 2024, and approximately 1,590 young lives were lost. Globally, the World Health Organization reports that an estimated 400,000 children develop cancer each year. While survival rates in high-income countries exceed 80%, many families face long, costly treatment journeys and lifelong challenges.
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How to Get Involved
Community members can make a difference by:
- Registering here to walk or run in person or virtually
- Fundraising through personal campaign pages (last year’s event raised more than $6,400)
- Volunteering or sponsoring, with opportunities available for individuals and businesses
- Spreading the word, inviting friends, family, and coworkers to join the cause
The Miles 4 Matthew 5K/10K & Family Walk is more than a race—it’s a movement of compassion, remembrance, and hope. For registration, sponsorship, and donation details, visit miles4matthew.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
