Naples race car driver raises awareness after father’s rare diagnosis

NAPLES, Fla. - Racing has always been a family affair for Michael Costello.

His father, John, raced for years before putting his own career aside to help Michael advance from go-karts to USF Pro 2000.

“I won races. I won championships, but there was nothing better than seeing him drive,” John said.

Their racing journey changed in September 2024, when John was diagnosed with AL amyloidosis after months of unexplained symptoms and medical tests.

AL amyloidosis is a rare condition in which plasma cells produce abnormal proteins that can build up and damage organs and tissues. The National Institutes of Health says the disease can affect the heart, kidneys, nervous system, liver and gastrointestinal tract. Treatment can slow the production of the proteins and address organ damage, but there is currently no cure.

“I knew it was serious just by the way I felt,” John said. “The unfortunate side to it is it is terminal. There is no cure.”

John began chemotherapy shortly after his diagnosis. He said his latest treatment regimen is working and has allowed him to function normally again. He said he is also encouraged by experimental treatments, including NXC-201, which is being evaluated in clinical trials involving patients with relapsed or treatment-resistant AL amyloidosis.

The family is now using racing to raise awareness. Michael, John and Michael’s aunt started Hope for AL Amyloidosis, placing the charity’s logo on Michael’s car and connecting with other families affected by the disease.

“It’s about, for me, connecting with the families and kind of saying, ‘Hey, it’ll be all right,’” Michael said. “Right now it’s going to be hard, but it’s going to get better.”

The family also recently celebrated a win on the track when Michael earned a first-place finish with John watching from the stands.

“I did have tears in my eyes,” John said. “Everything went right for him for the first time in so long, and it was probably one of the top moments in my life at that point.”

Michael hopes to continue advancing through the open-wheel racing ranks while using each race to bring more attention to AL amyloidosis.