About Ezra
Ezra was a shining light to all who knew him – he never met a stranger and never once complained
about the difficulties thrown his way. Ezra was born with a rare genetic disorder that made gross motor
activities difficult; things like eating, crawling and walking were hard won milestones for this super hero.
He never let it slow him down though, and playing with his friends and little brother, Isaac, were some
of Ezra’s favorite activities.
In August of 2017 Ezra was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a malignant type of brain tumor. He was
immediately taken into surgery and began what would be a 13 month fight against cancer. That fight
included so many wonderful people at Dayton Children’s Hospital and beyond; there will never be a way
to truly thank all those who took part in his care.
Ezra loved everything with a motor – trains, cars and planes all had a prominent role in Ezra’s life. Ezra
loved to have a race whenever the opportunity arose; even if it was from his hospital bed to the nurse’s
station down the hall. Each time Ezra was home between chemotherapy treatments his first request
was to go on a bike ride around the neighborhood – he needed to make sure he was still faster than his
parents and little brother.
To honor his memory, and continue his legacy by providing support to his second home at Dayton
Children’s Hospital, the Ezra J. Hartke Race for Hope was conceived. It is our sincerest hope that
honoring Ezra in this way provides a space for those he loved most to relive their favorite “Ezra
Moments” each year. We also want to provide those going through their own struggles a beacon of
hope and a moment of reflection on what is good in the world.
Ezra’s fight against cancer taught us that above all else, “Even now there is hope.” Ezra 10:4.
about the difficulties thrown his way. Ezra was born with a rare genetic disorder that made gross motor
activities difficult; things like eating, crawling and walking were hard won milestones for this super hero.
He never let it slow him down though, and playing with his friends and little brother, Isaac, were some
of Ezra’s favorite activities.
In August of 2017 Ezra was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a malignant type of brain tumor. He was
immediately taken into surgery and began what would be a 13 month fight against cancer. That fight
included so many wonderful people at Dayton Children’s Hospital and beyond; there will never be a way
to truly thank all those who took part in his care.
Ezra loved everything with a motor – trains, cars and planes all had a prominent role in Ezra’s life. Ezra
loved to have a race whenever the opportunity arose; even if it was from his hospital bed to the nurse’s
station down the hall. Each time Ezra was home between chemotherapy treatments his first request
was to go on a bike ride around the neighborhood – he needed to make sure he was still faster than his
parents and little brother.
To honor his memory, and continue his legacy by providing support to his second home at Dayton
Children’s Hospital, the Ezra J. Hartke Race for Hope was conceived. It is our sincerest hope that
honoring Ezra in this way provides a space for those he loved most to relive their favorite “Ezra
Moments” each year. We also want to provide those going through their own struggles a beacon of
hope and a moment of reflection on what is good in the world.
Ezra’s fight against cancer taught us that above all else, “Even now there is hope.” Ezra 10:4.