DIG THIS!
By Paul Anthony Arco
This September, a little boy named Zachary is planning on coming to Ashburn, climbing into the seat of a giant backhoe and operating the very grown-up machinery like a champ. It will be a moment his parents could scarcely have imagined three years ago.
In 2021, Jesse and Emily Vizcaino of Chantilly were busy raising their three young boys during the COVID pandemic. Despite being careful, Zachary, their middle child, became tired and pale and experienced an occasional low-grade fever for nearly three weeks. The couple became more concerned when their pediatrician sent Zachary to the emergency department for additional testing.
The results rocked Zachary’s parents, who called the news soul-crushing. But it wasn’t COVID-related.
Three-year-old Zachary was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), the most common type of leukemia in children, which happens when the bone marrow produces too many abnormal B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps fight infections.
“There was the shock of the diagnosis, and then fear and worry set in,” Emily Vizcaino said. “Fortunately, we had the support of so many people – friends, family – by our side.”
According to the American Cancer Society, about 9,600 children in the United States under age 15 will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and about 1,190 children are expected to die from the disease. The encouraging news is that thanks to major treatment advances, 85% of children with cancer now survive five years or more.
Zachary spent nearly 2½ years fighting the cancer, including several hospital stays at Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital in Falls Church and months of chemotherapy at Inova Schar Cancer’s Pediatric Infusion Clinic in Fairfax. His parents say Zachary, 7, is now in remission and looking forward to second grade this fall.
Dozens of children like Zachary will be honored this fall at The Big Dig of the National Capital Area in Ashburn, the fourth annual event benefiting local children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
The fundraiser gives people of all ages the chance to operate real, honest-to-goodness construction equipment and heavy machinery, including excavators and scissor lifts. Plus, they can rub elbows with local construction professionals and ask all types of mighty machine questions. There are also games, crafts, music and food trucks.
The Big Dig has raised more than $315,000 since its first event in 2021. The money raised helps support pediatric cancer research grants funded by the American Cancer Society as well as the oncology program at Inova’s pediatric hospital, where Zachary was treated.
This year’s goal is $125,000. The founding sponsors of The Big Dig are Merritt Cos., Veatch Commercial Real Estate, Van Metre Cos., Easterns Automotive Group and Capretti Land.
“All of our contractors are competitors, but this is the one day they all come together on the same playing field to help local children who’ve been touched by cancer,” said Tom Marable, senior vice president of land development for Van Metre. “It’s amazing to see the stories shared during the event. It’s a very heartfelt day.”
The first Big Dig/construction event was in 2017 in Reno, Nev. Similar events are now held around the country – in places such as Nevada, Colorado, Michigan, California, Nebraska, Utah and Idaho.
Last year, about 500 people turned out for the local Big Dig. Organizers expect a larger showing this year.
Zachary Vizcaino and his family will be there. The grade-schooler and his two brothers look forward to spending the day at The Big Dig, sitting behind the controls of some impressive machinery.
“Our oldest son, Joshua, wants to be a civil engineer and build buildings and drive trucks,” Jesse Vizcaino said. “The first time we attended he got to drive an excavator. When he climbed out, he said, ‘That was a dream come true.’ The Big Dig creates a sense of community and connectedness.”
Casey Veatch, one of the founding committee members, agrees. “People go through hard times and many of us don’t know what to do,” he said. “The Big Dig is an event that offers hope. It’s an opportunity for us to say, ‘We’re in the fight with you.’ It’s an honor to help these families.”
Paul Anthony Arco is a longtime journalist and freelance writer who has written for publications around the country.
IF YOU GO
- What: 4th Annual The Big Dig
- When: Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: 43045 Van Metre Drive, Ashburn
- Cost: $20. Open to the public.
- Info: BigDigDC24.givesmart.com