Farmingdale's Whiskey Down Diner Fights Cancer With Milkshakes

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“You really never know when you’re going to be on the receiving end of [a cancer diagnosis],” Mohan told Patch. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought this was going to happen to my family.”

Only 4 percent of cancer research funding used by the government is earmarked for pediatric cancer, according to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

“Once you realize it’s the money that saves the lives and how twisted that is, the more money you can get, the more lives you can save, it affects you, and you want to try to help,” Mohan said. “Because if people before me didn’t do things, my son wouldn’t have had the chance that he had. Knowing that other people are going to be in my shoes, unfortunately, I know that this will help them one day. Even if the day is in five years or whenever, it makes a difference.”

The Mohan family visited Disney World in February 2022 when Luke’s parents realized he wasn’t himself. He seemed to have a bad stomach virus and a lot of back pain. Luke spent three days in an emergency room in Orlando before doctors told the Mohans there was a “good chance” it was some kind of cancer, Kristina said.

The family flew home and, two days later, went to Memorial Sloan Kettering.

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Luke was diagnosed with neuroblastoma.

“The day we went to the hospital, I thought [the doctors] were going to tell me how much time he had left,” Mohan said. “Not, ‘Oh no, we can take care of this.’ I never thought that’s what they were going to say. It’s thanks to fundraising that you can do that. And that’s mind blowing.”

Luke, upon being diagnosed, started treatment and surgery immediately. His ports were placed, a biopsy was done, and Luke did four rounds of chemotherapy. His tumor resection surgery was May 10, 2022. He did five rounds of immunotherapy.

And Luke kept a positive attitude through it all, his mother said.

“He is incredible,” Mohan said. “He never had a bad day during the whole treatment cycles. He’s tough as nails. He did it with a smile on his face. He made the best out of it. He turned lemons into lemonade. He really enjoyed learning about it. He was so involved. He likes going to the hospital.”

Luke loved his nurses and doctors, and has considered becoming both a nurse and surgeon when he grows up.

“That truly helped us get through the worst times, because he was so strong about everything,” Mohan said. “Thank God, because if he wasn’t, I’m not sure how I really would’ve been able to get through it. He’s a hero. We call him our warrior. He’s special. Not just because he’s my son, but his whole outlook on it.”

Luke is currently in a trial at Sloan they created for a preventative cancer vaccine, where he is taking 10 shots over three years. Neuroblastoma has the highest relapse rate among pediatric cancer.

“This vaccine, they’re hoping, is going to bring those numbers down,” Mohan said.

Mohan initially pitched her sister, Alyson, on a cocktail at Whiskey Down Diner where proceeds would benefit the family’s Cycle for Survival team.

Since Luke is a child, though, Alyson Kanaras suggested the diner honor him with its usual Shake of the Month. Kanaras used Luke’s favorite foods and colors in designing the shake.

Mohan said she truly appreciates everything people have done for the family.

“I wish I could thank everybody directly, but I can’t,” she said. “As much as I can say it, wherever I can say it, I’ll say it. The customers here have always asked about him, they’ve always given and donated. We appreciate the continued support. It’s really not just about him. We’re doing this for the other kids.”

Cycle for Survival, the Kanaras and Mohan families wrote, is the movement dedicated to beating rare cancers. Since 2007, the community raised more than $300 million for doctors and scientists researching ways to beat cancer.

“Your support will make more advancements possible,” the diner wrote. “Together, we can ensure that every person with a rare cancer has a safe and effective treatment option for their disease. We are forever thankful to the team at [Memorial Sloan Kettering] and grateful for all the support our Whiskey Down patrons and family has shown our family. Thank you!”

Whiskey Down Diner opened in June 2019 as the Kanaras family aimed to create an eatery that shared the best qualities of a classic diner while adding a new-school twist. The diner has since become a staple known for its pancakes, wraps, sandwiches, summer-time lobster rolls, milkshakes and more.

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