Fall River Teen Fighting Cancer Finishes Marathon Inside Boston Children’s Hospital

What started as a simple suggestion from a physical therapist turned into something unforgettable for one Fall River teen.

Wesley “Wes” Araujo, a 15-year-old Diman Vocational student and athlete, is currently battling leukemia at Boston Children’s Hospital. However, instead of letting the diagnosis slow him down, Wes turned a hospital hallway into his own personal marathon course. In the middle of treatments, uncertainty, and long days, he found a way to push forward.

What he accomplished is nothing short of incredible, completing a full 26.2-mile marathon without ever stepping outside. That’s 552 laps around his hospital floor while undergoing chemotherapy and fighting for his health.

It wasn’t just about passing the time. It became a symbol of who he is: determined, resilient, and not one to back down from a challenge.

Turning a Challenge Into Something Bigger

The idea started casually during a visit from his physical therapist, who mentioned that 552 laps around his pod would equal the distance of the Boston Marathon. The expectation was simple: take it slow, maybe chip away at it with 25 to 30 laps a day. For most patients, that would be more than enough, especially while recovering from chemo, but Wes took that as a challenge.

“The first day I did 130,” Wes said. That set the tone for everything that followed.

Instead of pacing himself over months as suggested, he attacked the goal with the mindset of an athlete. In under a week, he had completed all 552 laps, proving not just to his physical therapist, but to himself, that some limits are meant to be pushed.

A Hospital Hallway Full of Support

As the laps started adding up, so did the support around him. Nurses, staff, and even other patients began to take notice of what Wes was doing each day. What started as a personal goal quickly turned into something the entire floor rallied behind. They tracked his progress, cheered him on, and made sure he never felt like he was doing it alone.

By the time he reached his final laps, the moment had grown into something truly special. “They setup streamers and had him run through it like a real marathon,” his mother Michelle Araujo said. In that moment, a hospital hallway became a place of celebration and pure joy.

Strength Beyond the Diagnosis

Wes’s journey began in late January after a fall led to unusual bruising that wouldn’t go away. After doctors ran tests, he was diagnosed with leukemia. A life-changing moment for any family. Since then, he’s undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy and is preparing for a bone marrow transplant, all while staying remarkably positive.

“I’ve been trying to stay positive, keep moving and keep pushing every day,” Wes said. That mindset has become his foundation. Even on the hardest days, when his body is being pushed in ways most of us will never understand, he continues to show up and keep going.

Fueled by Family, Friends and Fight

At the heart of everything Wes is doing is the support system around him. He talks often about his family and friends, and how much they’ve helped him stay grounded and motivated. Whether it’s late-night memories walking to McDonald’s with friends or FaceTiming loved ones while walking laps, those connections keep him going. “They’re one of the reasons I keep going,” he said.

That support extends far beyond his inner circle, too. The SouthCoast community has rallied behind Wes and his family in a big way, offering encouragement, love, and strength during an incredibly difficult time.

READ MORE: Fall River Photographer Steps Up for Teen Battling Leukemia

“The love and support that we’re getting from the community has helped immensely,” Michelle said. It’s a reminder that even in the toughest moments, no one is truly alone.

More Than a Marathon

Wes didn’t just complete a marathon, he redefined what it means to fight. While most people train for months to reach 26.2 miles, he did it in under a week, all while battling leukemia.

At the end of the day, if you ask his mom what this moment represents, her answer says it all. “This kid can overcome anything,” she said.

It’s hard to argue with that after watching what he’s already accomplished. One day soon, when Wes is back on the baseball field with his friends, that first game is going to mean more than just a return, it’ll be a victory lap.

Listen to Wes on The MGM Show: