Rockland teen organizes fundraiser to help others battle rare disease after own experience
New City teen has organized a "COCA Strong" 5k/10k at Rockland Lake State Park the morning of of August 3rd.
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A teen from Rockland County wants to help others battling rare diseases after his own fight.
Carlos "Coca" Bernard has organized a "COCA Strong" 5k/10k at Rockland Lake State Park on Aug. 3. Races will begin around 8 a.m.
Proceeds will be donated to Global Genes, an organization that supports individuals living with rare diseases.
The 16-year-old from New City was diagnosed with leukemia in 2021 at the age of 13. Two years later, he was diagnosed with an extremely rare autoimmune disease called atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, also known as aHUS, that affects the blood and kidneys.
The teen shared his story with News 12 at Mille Luci Pizzeria in New City, which is one of the event's sponsors helping make a difference.
"In my case, my counts dropped. My immune system was shutting down and it was attacking my kidneys," said Bernard. "If I hadn't gotten the treatment I received, maybe like a day later, my kidneys would have shut down."
Information on the fundraiser, including ways to donate and other details, is available on this Instagram account Coca.Strong.
