The Logan Miracle Foundation is set to host its fourth annual motorcade against childhood cancer Sunday on St. Croix. The motorcade will begin at 2 p.m. at Kingshill Cemetery and will end at Altona Lagoon, where a ceremony will be held.
The foundation was established in honor of Logan Cruz, who lost his battle to acute lymphocytic leukemia in January 2022. Since then, his mother, Anais Cruz, has dedicated herself to keeping childhood cancer awareness alive through the Logan Miracle Foundation. Over the years, the annual motorcade has grown from a small remembrance into a territory-wide movement for awareness and support. What began as a tribute to Logan has become an effort to build resources for families facing pediatric cancer in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
As in previous years, participants are encouraged to wear orange and decorate their vehicles in orange. Members from V.I. Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Rescue, and the Port Authority are all confirmed to take part, and Cruz shared that the event will feature a slightly larger, more organized setup at Lagoon with seating and a short closing ceremony.
This year, Cruz says the event feels especially meaningful because, for the first time, the foundation will honor a survivor. Sixteen-year-old Leilanie Batista has been named the 2025 Logan Miracle Foundation Honored Hero. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at just 1 year and 10 months old, Leilanie endured a battle no child should ever face. Today, she stands as a survivor — and makes history as the foundation’s first Honored Hero Survivor.
“Leilanie’s story embodies the strength and resilience at the heart of our mission,” Cruz said. “By lifting up Leilanie, we not only celebrate her courage, but we also remind our community why it is so vital to continue raising awareness for childhood cancer and leukemia. Her survival is a victory for us all — a beacon of hope that fuels our commitment to every child still in the fight and every family walking this journey. Together, we are stronger. Together, we keep Logan’s legacy alive. Together, we believe in miracles.”
To deepen the impact within the territory, Cruz has invited a local oncologist to participate this year. She said Dr. Elizabeth DelGiacco, the only oncologist on St. Croix, will attend alongside an oncology nurse to speak about childhood cancer and the local services available. “It was important to me to keep it within the community,” Cruz explained. “I want people to know that on St. Thomas and St. Croix, we have an oncology facility available to people.”
Orange shirts will again be available for preorder, with proceeds going directly to the nonprofit. “We have orange T-shirts this year as well — slightly different — and everything that’s sold goes straight to the nonprofit,” Cruz said. Shirts can be preordered through the Logan Miracle Foundation Facebook page, or by contacting Cruz directly at 832-258-4748 or by email at theloganmiraclefoundation13@gmail.com.
For Cruz, the emotional payoff comes in the moments when she sees the impact on children and families. “This event is surrounded by love … you feel the love at the end,” she said. “I just want to save the next kid that comes out. I need to make sure we’re there and supply the parents with everything that’s needed.” She noted that last year, shirts were distributed at a St. Thomas school, leading to territory-wide participation, and she hopes the movement continues to grow until it can match the scale of larger U.S. organizations.
“I feel like this is bigger than me,” Cruz said. “If I started something, I have to finish it … the end goal for the Logan Miracle Foundation is to be able to supply anyone from the Virgin Islands who is diagnosed with childhood cancer with the resources their parents need. I pray that our medical system gets better back home. But the Logan Miracle Foundation has to continue — whether I’m there or not — because it’s bigger than me.”
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