Let's Get Landon Back on Track!

You might know Landon as a wildly talented runner, someone who won the Big 10 Conference Championships for Cross Country and later turned pro.

You might know Landon as the creator of gorgeous pieces of fine art that he often shows at Ginkgo Arts and other events.

You might know him as an art teacher, as he recently completed his certification in teaching, served as a long-term substitute in an art class at Henderson, and has taught many private sessions through his own business, Peacock Studios.

Landon is all these things, and more. He is always the first to cheer on his students, friends, and fellow artists, and contributes to so many different communities through his talents. It’s our turn now to support Landon, as he was recently diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and is undergoing treatment.

As an elite runner, Landon has always been in tune with his body. During an easy jog in early spring, Landon started feeling anaerobic in his arms, a clear warning sign that something was deeply wrong. He went to the doctor and was diagnosed soon after. “That run probably saved my life,” Landon told me, as AML is a cancer that progresses rapidly and is rarely diagnosed in people under the age of 65.

Landon has received excellent care so far and is doing well on his treatment plan, but has a difficult few months ahead that will involve chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant with an extended hospital stay, where he will remain largely isolated. “As a runner, you learn how to manage pain and discomfort,” Landon told me. “I’m sure that’s a skillset that’s going to get me through the month stay.”

In order to support Landon through treatment and ease the burden of care and living costs for both Landon and his partner, Julie, who will have to take unpaid time off work, we (Jacqueline Alnes, a friend of Landon, and Charlot Barker, Managing Partner of Ginkgo Arts) are working together, and closely with Landon, to bring the art and running community together to help reach our goal. Due to Landon's upcoming hospitalization, his partner and primary caregiver, Julie Rotramel, is serving as the beneficiary so she can manage funds and pay bills on Landon's behalf while he is recovering.

There are two ways you can support Landon:

1. Donate any time, any amount, to this GoFundMe! We will update our goal as we learn more about treatments and anticipated costs.

2. Mark your calendars for an in-person event happening at align.Space in West Chester, PA on July 23, 2023. There is a suggested donation to attend, and the event will feature a silent auction (including Landon’s artwork, art generously donated by local artists, and running-related goodies), music, snacks, and camaraderie. More information will be provided through an invitation soon, so stay tuned.

Additionally, Landon wants to encourage anyone who might be interested to sign up for Be The Match, an organization that matches bone marrow donors with recipients in need of transplants. Signing up is free, non-invasive, and might mean you save someone's life.

Thank you for your support!