Marine veteran walks over 100 miles for girl battling cancer

Jim Hickey is trekking from Long Island to Staten Island to support 7-year-old Lucy Dina's fight against stage four neuroblastoma.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A minimalist design in the style of Keith Haring where the figure of a person walking with a backpack is defined entirely by glowing, vibrant neon lines against a deep, dark background, emphasizing the shape and energy of the person's movement.A Marine veteran's selfless journey to support a young cancer patient inspires hope and community action.Wading River Today

A 64-year-old Marine Corps veteran named Jim Hickey is walking more than 100 miles from eastern Long Island to Staten Island to raise awareness and funds for 7-year-old Lucy Dina, who has been battling stage four high-risk neuroblastoma cancer since she was just months old. Hickey, a three-time cancer survivor who also lost his father to the disease, has logged thousands of miles over 40 coast-to-coast journeys to support childhood cancer research.

Why it matters

Hickey's journey highlights the immense challenges faced by children like Lucy who are fighting cancer, as well as the power of community support and grassroots fundraising efforts to make a difference in their lives. As a veteran and cancer survivor himself, Hickey's personal connection to the cause adds poignancy to his mission.

The details

Hickey is trekking from Wading River in Suffolk County, New York to Staten Island to support Lucy, whose mother Laurie Del Percio has spoken about the difficulty of watching her daughter suffer through treatment and the desire for her to experience a normal childhood. Hickey says he heard Lucy's story on Facebook and was compelled to take on the extra journey to raise awareness and funds for her care.

  • Hickey began his walk from Wading River, New York on April 15, 2026.
  • Hickey is expected to complete his journey on April 19, 2026 at the Curly Wolf Saloon on Staten Island.

The players

Jim Hickey

A 64-year-old Marine Corps veteran who is a three-time cancer survivor and has logged thousands of miles over 40 coast-to-coast journeys to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research.

Lucy Dina

A 7-year-old girl who has been battling stage four high-risk neuroblastoma cancer since she was just months old.

Laurie Del Percio

Lucy Dina's mother, who has spoken about the difficulty of watching her daughter suffer through cancer treatment.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Watching her suffer, be uncomfortable, not want to eat anything, sleep hours and hours of the day, it's been really hard for us. She's been handling treatment really well. She's a trooper. She's very strong.”

— Laurie Del Percio, Lucy Dina's mother

“Lucy doesn't even know what a normal life is for a child, no kindergarten, playground, life in a hospital room.”

— Jim Hickey, Marine veteran

What’s next

Hickey is expected to complete his journey on April 19, 2026 at the Curly Wolf Saloon on Staten Island, where a fundraiser for Lucy will be held the following day.

The takeaway

Hickey's selfless act of walking over 100 miles to support a young girl battling a devastating illness highlights the power of community, empathy, and determination to make a difference in the lives of those facing immense challenges. His journey serves as an inspiring example of how one person can use their own experiences to uplift and advocate for others.