Since 2021, the Patel family have been able to participate in numerous fundraising and charity events that support pediatric cancer research, treatment, and patient families. They aim to stay actively involved in the pediatric cancer community and bring awareness to the organizations that have supported them.
Community Involvement
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World Wish Day 2024
Lucan and his sister enjoyed Carowinds amusement park with other Wish Kids to celebrate World Wish Month.
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Whit’s Frozen Custard x World Wish Month 2024
Lucan’s winning flavor (Banana Fudge Crunch!) was featured at all local Whit’s Frozen Custard locations for a week. To celebrate World Wish Month, 25% of the proceeds from Lucan’s and other Wish Kid Creations were donated to Make-A-Wish CWNC all month long.
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Wish Ball 2024
The 21st Annual Wish Ball raised over $2.2 million which will fund 300 life-changing wishes to critically ill children in central and western North Carolina. Lucan was so grateful to attend this circus-themed gala as a Wish Kid!
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Andrew Roby Pitchin’ for Wishes 2023
Over the last 15 years, thanks to generous sponsors, donors and players, this event has raised over $2,455,000 for Make-A-Wish CWNC and other local charities.
Lucan’s parents were honored to share his story at the Andrew Roby Annual Cookout amongst employees & sponsors ahead of the 2023 cornhole tournament.
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World Wish Day 2022
Lucan and his family attended World Wish Day at Carowinds amusement park in Charlotte, NC.
World Wish Day takes place on April 29th each year, marking the anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of Make-A-Wish.
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Wish Ball 2022
Lucan’s parents got all dressed up for the Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina’s 19th annual blue-tie gala, which celebrates the life-changing impact a wish can have on a child and their family
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St. Jude Celebrity Chef & Wine Dinner 2025
Reena and Chirag Patel attended this beautiful Old Hollywood Glam themed dinner, which raised $1.5 million for St. Jude.
The highlight of the evening? Chef Maneet Chauhan, Chef Chris Ivens-Brown and Chef Bernard Crate showcasing their talent with delicious appetizers during the cocktail hour! -
St. Jude Celebrity Chef & Wine Dinner 2024
The Patel family was honored to be invited back to this lively event, which raised over $1.2 million.
Lucan was excited to meet Foot Network star Chef Jet Tila and was a big fan of his shrimp fritters!
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St. Jude Hope Award 2023
Reena and Chirag Patel were recipients of the inaugural 2023 St. Jude Hope Award, presented at the St. Jude Celebrity Chef & Wine Dinner.
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St. Jude Celebrity Chef & Wine Dinner 2023
The Patel family shared Lucan’s story at this amazing event - a festive evening of dining, live entertainment, dancing and cocktails all to benefit St. Jude.
Pictured here is Lucan with Chef Bruce Moffett, founding chef of 4 restaurants in Charlotte, NC.
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Neighborhood Fundraiser 2022
Lucan's second fundraiser was a backyard movie night for the neighborhood, complete with popcorn and lawn games. He was able to raise $2000 for St. Jude - another successful event.
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St. Jude Walk/Run 2020, 2021 & 2022
This inspiring annual event unites people across the nation behind the lifesaving mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children.
Team Lucan’s Lions raised over $35,000 for the kids of St. Jude in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
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Neighborhood Fundraiser 2021
Lucan’s first fundraiser was held on a hot summer day in 2021. Children in the neighborhood came together to create a mini market, selling homemade treats and jewelry at their stalls, and successfully raising over $2600 for St. Jude.
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Light the Night 2024
The Patel family attended this amazing event for the first time and it was spectacular! Participants carried illuminated lanterns in 3 colors: red lanterns are carried by supporters, gold lanterns are carried by those walking in memory of loved ones lost to cancer, and white lanterns are carried by survivors like Lucan.
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Charlotte Visionaries of the Year 2024
Lucan’s parents attended the Visionaries of the Year Grand Finale, celebrating the business and community leaders who had been raising funds for LLS's life-changing work while engaging in a little healthy competition. The candidates raised over $1.7 million for LLS initiatives!
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Charlotte Student Visionaries of the Year (SVOY) 2023
SVOY is a philanthropic leadership development program for high school students. Every year, courageous young leaders embark on a 7-week journey with a goal to create a world without blood cancers.
Lucan was an Honored Hero for the local 2023 SVOY campaign, motivating students to strive for the SVOY title.
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"A Million Dreams" Auction
Lucan’s artwork was auctioned off and purchased by a generous donor at the Charlotte MWOY 2022 Grand Finale. The piece of art, entitled “A Million Dreams” was then hung at Hemby Children’s Hospital to help brighten the halls of the pediatric unit.
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Charlotte Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) 2022
Lucan was chosen to be Boy of the Year again for the MWOY 2022 campaign - another great opportunity to inspire candidates raising money for LLS.
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Light the Night 2021 & 2022
At Charlotte’s yearly Light The Night event, the community gathers to celebrate, honor, and remember those touched by blood cancers.
Team Lucan’s Lions raised donations that directly funded lifesaving research, advocacy and support for blood cancer patients and their families.
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Charlotte Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) 2021
For over 30 years, MWOY has been a philanthropic staple, with a group of highly motivated individuals leading the way in the fight against blood cancer. Candidates form fundraising teams and compete in honor of two local blood cancer survivors - and Lucan was chosen to be Boy of the Year for the MWOY 2021 campaign.
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Holiday Toy Drive 2024
Lucan’s Lions had another successful toy drive for the kids at Hemby Children’s Hospital, thanks to generous family and friends.
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Charlotte Marathon 2023
Participation in this marathon benefits Hemby Children’s Hospital and has contributed more than $250,000 toward providing remarkable care to kids from the Carolinas and beyond.
Lucan was a “Hemby Hero” and the face of Meaningful Mile 2. Lucan’s dad and Team Lucan’s Lions proudly completed the Chick-fil-A 5K.
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Holiday Toy Drive 2023
With the help of family, friends, neighbors and Carolina Pharmacy customers, Lucan was able to collect over one hundred toys to give to the children staying at Hemby Children’s Hospital over the holiday season.
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An Evening with Hemby Children’s Hospital 2023
Lucan provided a piece of artwork for display at this event that centered around the healing power of art and its integration in the patient care journey.
Other Charities
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Dream On 3 & ACC Kickoff 2024
Lucan was invited by Dream On 3 to attend the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Kickoff event in downtown Charlotte where he met numerous student-athletes and coaches.
Dream On 3 makes sports-themed “dreams” come true for kids and young adults who are living with life-altering conditions including those with mental health challenges and intellectual disabilities.
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Martin Truex Jr. Foundation - Catwalk for a Cause 2023
Lucan and fellow Catwalk Heroes fighting pediatric cancer walked the runway styled in outfits provided by Belk. Since its inception in 2010, this unforgettable event has continued to grow each year while raising over $4.5 million for cancer initiatives specific to women and children.