Micah’s Story: For His Brother

At only 8 years old, Micah Wayland of Glen Allen is passionate about giving back to his community. At his taekwondo-themed fifth birthday party, Micah asked his guests to forgo birthday presents and instead make a contribution to his fundraising efforts for VCU Massey Cancer Center.

Wayland, is running in the Virginia 529 Kids Run – a one mile kid’s run before the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k on March 29th – for the fourth time and raising money through the HDL, Inc. Massey Challenge for VCU Massey Cancer Center the official charity of the 10k. Wayland is running and raising in memory of his brother Blake, who died of leukemia. 

“As parents, my husband and I have always taught our children the value of giving back,” says Tammy Hudson Wayland, Micah’s mother and Blake’s stepmother. “For past birthdays, Micah has donated items to ASK and Comfort Zone Camp. This will be the fourth year he will run the kid’s race and is excited once again to raise money in memory of Blake.”

Blake was 10 years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2004. After a courageous but short fight, Blake passed away in March 2005.

Micah never met his brother, but his father, Brian Wayland, and Hudson Wayland have kept Blake’s memory alive through pictures, stories and family trips to his favorite lake. 

“Micah loves to hear stories about Blake. I think his favorite is how Blake loved going to the beach with his family,” says Brian Wayland. “There was a lake where Blake would go with his cousins. They called it Turtle Lake because it had so many turtles floating around. We go there each year and talk about him.”

In 2013, Micah raised more than $4,000 for Massey. “Last year we fundraised with apple butter, craft sales and a yard sale,” says Hudson Wayland. “Micah had the most fun crafting and making lighted wine bottles for the craft sale. This upcoming year we will try to plan a local celebrity basketball game and a parent and child golf tournament.

“Blake had a huge heart,” explains Hudson Wayland. “Micah has a lot of Blake’s personality and they share similar interests like baseball, football and basketball. Blake would have enjoyed running with Micah.”

When asked why he likes to participate in the kids fun, Micah Wayland says, “I hear people cheer me on from the sidelines and say ‘Way to go Massey!’” Micah will also tell you that he participates in hope that “No kids get cancer,” and one day would like to see more kids running with the Massey yellow t-shirts.

“Micah is very proud of raising money in memory of Blake,” says Hudson Wayland. “When we are in the car and Micah hears the Massey Cancer Center radio commercials he says ‘I am running for Massey in memory of Blake.’ He understands the impact of what he is doing.”