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Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 5:28 AM

Three-year old with leukemia honored as Grand Marshal of Christmas Parade

Three-year old with leukemia honored as Grand Marshal of Christmas Parade
Lucas Walker and his family visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus after the Christmas Parade Saturday night at City Hall. (Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter)

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

Like many kids his age, Lucas Walker is fascinated by garbage trucks.

Lucas, who was diagnosed with leukemia in September, loves them so much that he wanted to be a garbage man for Halloween.

Dressed in his waste management costume, his parents, Tyler and Veronica, took him to a trunk or treat event, where he happened to meet Waste Management construction services account manager Shannon Murphy. Murphy hooked him up with two toy garbage trucks, and got the ball rolling that eventually led to the Fernley Chamber of Commerce nominating him as the grand marshal for Saturday’s Christmas Day parade.

Lucas began chemotherapy the same day he was diagnosed, and has had weekly treatments since. He is scheduled for a total of 27 months of chemo.

“The first month was really hard, because the first month they had him on a steroid and it just sucked a lot of his energy out,” Tyler Walker said. “But since after that first month he’s been a little bit back to normal, a lot more energy, running around.”

Best of all, after four weeks of chemo, a bone marrow biopsy showed that Lucas is in remission.

“Still, it’s a long way to go,” Veronica said.

But Saturday, Lucas was riding shotgun in a Jeep for the Christmas Parade, and was first in line for the chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

“He was very excited and he had a lot of fun tonight,” Veronica said.

Lucas’ family has shared his story and set up a donation page where you can go to help them out. You can check it out it here.


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C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: Maybe there is more to this story than what is reported, but it seems to me that the businesses that are causing this problem ought to be paying for this, or at least a major portion of it. Why does the County have to pay the whole bill? Just my opinion.Comment publication date: 5/7/26, 10:26 AMComment source: Storey County, Tesla partner to extend I-80 Patrick on-rampComment author: Alan ReederComment text: Great guy, laughed easily, had fun with his students, enjoyed our time together at FHS!Comment publication date: 4/23/26, 10:23 PMComment source: Howard David JacksonComment author: Jack & Nancy CookComment text: Wonderful man. Created a precious family with Linda. Will always respect and admire his contribution to teaching at FHS.Comment publication date: 4/18/26, 10:27 AMComment source: Howard David JacksonComment author: JeffDickersonComment text: Very well reported, even though our motion was denied.Comment publication date: 4/15/26, 11:05 AMComment source: Judge allows Fernley City Council to proceed with corrective agenda item in Lau expulsion caseComment author: Todd fossumComment text: Hi my name is todd fossum i'm clarence's stepson, I was wondering if he had any siblings. I think he said he had a sister that just survived cancer. If she can get ahold of me or any buddy, my number is 916. 3 4 3 1 1 7 7.Thank you have a blessed dayComment publication date: 1/16/26, 4:33 PMComment source: Clarence L Shields C Comment author: Carl HagenComment text: So just curious, what is the point of a franchise agreement if it is not exclusive?Comment publication date: 12/15/25, 4:18 PMComment source: Council approves non-exclusive franchise agreement for waste collection
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