Marine veteran walks 100 miles to support Staten Island girl battling cancer
Jim Hickey began his latest journey in Wading River, Long Island, making his way westward.
Jim Hickey has spent years walking America’s roads with a purpose.
At 64, the Marine Corps infantry veteran logged more than 9,300 miles on foot - each step dedicated to children fighting cancer. His latest mission is for 7‑year‑old Lucy Dina, of Staten Island, who has been battling neuroblastoma since infancy.
“I decided that I was going to walk from the eastern end of Long Island to Staten Island, 100 miles, for her,” Hickey said. “To raise awareness for her and her family and to help her in her cancer battle.”
Photo courtesy of Lori Del Percio
Hickey lives in the Bronx and is originally from New Jersey. He began his latest journey in Wading River, Long Island, making his way westward. His final destination will be the Curly Wolf Saloon on Staten Island, which will have a fundraiser for Lucy on April 19.
Hickey’s commitment to children with cancer began after losing his father to prostate cancer and nearly losing his brother months later.
“That just did something to me and put me on the road,” he said.
What started as an attempt to walk across the country evolved into a calling: dedicating each walk to a child fighting cancer and encouraging people to donate directly to families in need. He never accepts money himself.
Photo courtesy of Lori Del Percio
“I don’t take donations for cancer research. I don’t take donations for the kids that I walk for. You want to help? You help them directly," he said.
Lucy’s story reached Hickey through Facebook, where he often learns about children in need of support. The connection became personal when he discovered that he and Lucy’s mother shared mutual friends. Lucy’s family is facing more than medical bills; they are currently staying with relatives because of issues with their apartment. Hickey hopes his walk brings attention and help to their situation.
“She’s known nothing else,” he said. “She hasn’t known going to kindergarten like a normal kid… all she knows is hospital rooms and hospital beds."
Photo courtesy of Lori Del Percio
Hickey’s mission became even more personal after he himself survived three cancers. In 2021, while walking across Nebraska for another child, he began experiencing symptoms that led to a diagnosis of kidney, bladder, and prostate cancer. He underwent multiple major surgeries, including the removal of his kidney, bladder, and prostate.
“There was no way I was going to stop this,” he said. “Now it’s more personal, because now I know what it feels like to have it and to battle it.”
So, Hickey continues walking, even with a heavy backpack. When the pain becomes intense, he looks at photos of the children he walks for. “I tell myself, shut up, keep going.”
As he moves across Long Island, Hickey says the kindness of strangers is inspiring. Local hotels have offered him places to stay. Residents stop to share their own stories of loss and survival. One woman in Wading River told him he was the first person she had ever opened up to about losing her sister to cancer.
“People are willing to talk to me about their battles… it’s kind of a healing thing,” he said. “Long Island’s been wonderful... The people have been so supportive.”
Hickey hopes his walk inspires others to help families like Lucy’s.
“If you have a heart, please reach out... Or if there’s another child in your area battling cancer… help them,” he said. “I don’t know why, but I have to do it... Hopefully it means a lot to the families and the kids… that they’re getting the help they need.”
