Northwest Martial Arts' ninja kicks cancer

When 8-year-old Loukas Bilotta became a little ninja at Northwest Martial Arts in July 2019, no one suspected he’d be high kicking and throwing punches at more than just in class, but in a battle against cancer too.

Six months after he’d started the little ninja’s program, Loukas was diagnosed with Ostoesarcoma, a type of pediatric bone cancer. Tumors usually appear in the wider ends of long bones and can manifest in the humerus bones in the arms, femur and the tibia in the legs and spread to other parts of the body like other bones, tissues and organs.

 “It started with a pain in his right arm, near his armpit in November 2019 and progressed by December,” said Loukas’ mom Adriene.

When they found out, Loukas stopped doing karate for about a year, while they worked on getting him better and when he returned, he earned his second degree black belt.

“Karate actually did help him a little, to at least have something else to focus on, but it’s too much for him and makes him severely tired,” said Adriene.

Things looked good in February this year when two tumors were discovered and they were surgically removed in March and June, but by July Loukas was complaining that his right arm was hurting him. He had relapsed.

In August, two more tumors were discovered on his right lung.

“At this point, the doctors said there was nothing they could do,” said Adriene.

Since, Loukas has stayed in the hospital twice and gone through rounds and rounds of radiation. He is currently home and on 24/7 chemo and fluids to help with dehydration.

“It’s just to stop the growth, it’s not a cure,” said Adriene. “We do a week on and two weeks off and just keep doing that until he decides he doesn’t want to do it anymore, or if it’s not doing what it should.”

But, the Bilotta family are optimistic that the chemo is working.

“His doctor has said his lungs sound good or at least the same as it did when we went in during August and the lumps on his lungs were discovered,” said Adriene. “So, because it sounds the same, it’s optimistic to say it’s not growing.” 

After finding out about Loukas’ diagnosis, Northwest Martial Arts Youth Leadership Team Captain Jennifer Barbieto knew she wanted to help the family.

“When you join North West, you join a family,” said Barbieto, “and when someone goes through something, you help them.”

She began making and selling ribbons in support of the Bilotta family raising over $1,000.

Northwest Martial Arts Social Media Manager Janet Barbieto said instructors also helped to stock the Bilotta family’s fridge and pantry while they were away on their “Make a Wish” trip.

“We appreciate all the love and support we have received from everyone and Northwest Martial Arts has been very supportive,” said Adriene.

One of Loukas’ Make a Wish trip was to Hawaii. Loukas said he chose Hawaii because it’s beautiful and he wanted to see sea turtles and another wish was to have a drone which he along with a little extra too.

“It was a really big deal that day,” said Adriene. “The Air National Guard actually brought one to him and flew a C130 right over our house. They brought him a flight suit and helmet and made him an honorary member of the High Rollers with his call sign ‘Jedi.’”

Next, they’re planning a trip to Disneyland because Loukas wants to experience it during Christmas time.

Adriene said at this point it’s a manner of waiting and seeing what happens.

“It’s been hard on everyone, but we’ve had so much support from the Northern Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation," she said. "They provide a lot of financial and emotional support, a lot of activities to families and the child with cancer. It’s been a learning experience too and something we will get through together. But we can’t thank all the support we’ve gotten from the community and Northwest. It’s helped more than they know.”