Pleasant Hill boy’s special trick-or-treat costume highlights rare disease

PLEASANT HILL, CA (Oct. 31, 2023) — Inspired by his love for Blippi and all things construction, Milo McCormack will trick-or-treat in an excavator costume his parents custom-made for his wheelchair. The 4-year-old has Spax5, an ultra-rare neurodegenerative disease.

Rita Naman and Daniel McCormack invite residents to join Milo’s “Dig for Cures” at 6 p.m. Oct. 31 around Pleasant Valley Drive. Milo’s friends and family will pass out candy with special stickers that tell about his journey and ask for support in the race for a cure.

His condition is one of nearly 7,000 rare diseases that urgently require advanced research but aren’t a priority for the government or pharmaceutical companies. So, his parents launched “Miracles for Mighty Milo” in 2022.

They are working with multiple researchers, including a scientist in Italy who is testing an experimental ALS drug in mice and developing a novel gene therapy to permanently address Milo’s condition.

According to family spokesperson Laura Bodre, time is of the essence as Milo’s health and abilities continue to decline.

“We hope you’ll join us on Milo’s trick-or-treat adventure and help us spread the word about the McCormacks’ fight for their son,” she says. “We hope to work together to make this Halloween unforgettable for Milo and many others who face similar challenges.”

For more information, visit MightyMilo.org and follow on Instagram @miracles4milo.