CrossFit Community Rallies Around 3-Year-Old Fighting Cancer

On December 3, when Halie and Kyle Fox took their son, Landon Fox, to the emergency room, a nurse noticed a lump on his abdomen. 

• Determined to be a large, stage-three Wilms tumor, the diagnosis sent the entire family down an unexpected path. Landon, who is nearly 3 years old, had surgery to remove his kidney and, when he fully recovers, will be on chemotherapy and radiation for the next six months. 

About the Foxes: Halie and Kyle Fox are both avid CrossFitters and coach athletes at CrossFit Q in Quakertown, PA. CrossFit Q is a family affair: Halie Fox’s father, Mike Mangiaruga, owns the box, and her sister, Brianna Mangiaruga, also coaches.

Landon has a twin brother, Everett, who Mike Mangiaruga says is “wondering where his brother is,” as Landon’s hospital stay extends. Halie Fox is currently five months pregnant with the family’s third child.

Landon’s Recovery: Mike Mangiaruga says Landon’s cancer is “favorable” and has a “good cure rate.” Landon was born with a genetic issue, which Mangiaruga says could make things a bit more complicated while remaining optimistic that there is a path for everything to work out well.

• If his recovery continues to go well, Landon will receive his first chemo treatment in the hospital and return home soon. 

Calling on the Community: To care for her son as he moves through chemo and radiation, Halie Fox has taken an undetermined length of medical leave from her job. Normally a two-income family, the Fox household is now down to one. 

To help the family with upcoming expenses as they prepare for a new baby and handle massive medical bills, Brianna Mangiaruga created a GoFundMe.

• “Our entire family is heartbroken but ready to support Landon and his family in any way we can, and any small donation will help them in this unfair journey with their little fighter Landon,” Brianna Mangiaruga wrote on the GoFundMe page.

• “This is going to be a long-term financial crunching blow, so we told people in the interim, if you really want to help while we figure things out, we can help split some of [their] expenses,” Mike Mangiaruga said.

• He added that their CrossFit community has already reached out in more ways than donations, with a meal train, plans for a gift-wrapping party, and more. 

At the time of publishing, Landon Fox’s fundraiser has reached almost $25,000.