Childhood cancer survivor leads superheroes in race

Mason "Ace" Martinez, 8, reads a plaque held by Kristen Atchley with the Make-A-Wish Foundation saying that he and his family will be going on a Disney cruise during the Mason's Mighty Superhero Run at 239 Colonade Dr in Stone Oak Heights on Saturday, March 25,2017. Mason, who has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, had decided to raise money for someone else's wish with the fundraising event but was surprised to find he was given one too. With Mason is his mother, Stacy Martinez (from left), a Storm Trooper and Jawa ( Chris Berban and Maria Morrell), Matthew Kostak with Make-A Wish and his father Jeff Martinez. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net less Mason "Ace" Martinez, 8, reads a plaque held by Kristen Atchley with the Make-A-Wish Foundation saying that he and his family will be going on a Disney cruise during the Mason's Mighty Superhero Run at 239 ... more Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer, Staff / San Antonio Express-News Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer, Staff / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 26 Caption Close Childhood cancer survivor leads superheroes in race 1 / 26 Back to Gallery

A pint-sized Spider-Man rushed in frantic circles around a Star Wars Stormtrooper, as Batman and a dozen or so Captain Americas readied for a quick race on an early Saturday morning at the Heights at Stone Oak.

The race was in honor of an 8-year-old boy named Mason Martinez, a superhero in his own right. Mason arrived at the race, which aimed to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, clad in the garb of Captain America.

Doctors diagnosed Mason with leukemia on June 21, and spent more than 35 days hospitalized, enduring hundreds of doses of chemotherapy. At one point, cancer cells occupied 93 percent of his bone marrow and 50 percent of his blood.

By July 28, doctors would no longer detect cancer cells. Mason continues to undergo chemotherapy, and will do so for at least the next three years.

Over time, Mason learned how to deal with pain through small meditation techniques, recalled his cape-clad doctor, Lt. Col. Sean Hipp of Brooke Army Medical Center, his red cape draping his blue and red costume.

The race was the brainchild of Sarah Johnson, a sophomore at Reagan High School. Johnson approached the Martinez family with the idea of a fundraiser.

After his family asked Mason where the proceeds should go, the boy decided the Make-a-Wish Foundation would be the recipient. The organization had visited the family at around the same time.

His father, Jeff Martinez, also wearing a Captain America costume, said Mason’s decision fit his personality.

“He wants things to be fair,” said Jeff Martinez, the director of systems engineering at Rackspace.

Last fall, the family wanted a puppy for Mason, his father recalled. In the car on the way to picking up the dog, Mason asked if it was fair to take the puppy.

“I asked, ‘Why not?’ And he responded, ‘If we get a puppy, doesn’t that mean he can’t see his mom anymore?’” Jeff Martinez said.

Mason promised to bring back their chocolate Labrador, Hudson, to his mother for a family reunion each year, his father said.

At the race, the Martinez family included his brother Maddox, 4, costumed as Iron Man, and his mother Stacy, dressed as Black Widow.

His teacher for the last year, Annie Tiller, was also at the race, wearing a Captain America shirt and a cape.

A teacher at Hardy Oak Elementary, Tiller taught Mason in the first grade. When Mason was unable to attend second grade due to health concerns, the 42-year-old Belvedere resident taught him at home.

Tiller comes to the Martinez home three to four times a week. Mason’s favorite subjects are science and social studies, she said, and he’s a quick learner and an easy student.

“I can be in a horrible mood, and then I get there,” she said.

The race began with a short speech by U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, who wore a blue dress shirt.

“I got back from Washington late last night, and I wanted to support Mason and his family,” Castro said. “It’s really special to see so many people from the neighborhood here to support him.

Then the race began and the runners set off, their colorful costumes creating a heroic technicolor rainbow.

Mason was a very active child, before his cancer, said his father, a retired Air Force major with experience in special operations and as a personal communicator of President Barack Obama.

The boy was recently able to return to the sport he loves: soccer.

On March 22, the same day he received a dose of chemotherapy, he went to his first soccer practice after nine months away.

When all the runners finished their race, Mason learned he’ll be able to snorkel in the Caribbean later this year.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation announced at the end of the race that they will sponsor Mason and his family on a Disney cruise to an island off the Florida Keys.

Mason wanted to do a Disney cruise because he wanted to see Lightning McQueen, the hero of the animated “Cars” movies.

Asked what he thought about the hubbub, Mason looked down as he described how he felt.

“Happy,” Mason said, “because everyone came to this race for me.”

jlawrence@express-news.net