Beloved Hallmark Channel star Andrew Walker has a big weekend ahead, attending the Kentucky Derby and celebrating his new movie, “Kentucky Roses,” filmed at Churchill Downs and slated to premiere hours after the big race on May 2, 2026. The rom-com, set in two time periods, has been a labor of love for Walker from start to finish; he not only stars alongside Odette Annable, but is one of its executive producers.
Walker even launched a line of t-shirts and hats inspired by the movie, available for fans to purchase via Dressing Festive. But in the days leading up to the movie, that effort has taken on new meaning. Rather than just using the gear to promote “Kentucky Roses,” Walker’s turned the merch into a fundraiser for the family of a very brave 12-year-old in a race of his own, fighting an aggressive bone cancer.
Snowboard Champion Lorenzo Warren Was Diagnosed With Cancer in January
Lorenzo Warren is the son of Jonny Warren and Selina Greene Warren, and he’s “facing the fight of his life,” according to his family’s GoFundMe campaign. A snowboarding phenom who’s dreamed of Olympic gold since he was tiny, Lorenzo was diagnosed in January with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer, after thinking the pain in his ankle was just from an injury.
In addition to enduring debilitating chemo infusions, Lorenzo had to undergo a “life-saving amputation” of his right leg in late March, Selina wrote in an update. But the brave 12-year-old is already envisioning himself back on the slopes with a prosthetic once he beats cancer.
Walker grew up with Lorenzo’s dad and, though they haven’t seen each other in years, the actor immediately wanted to help when he learned what the Warren family is going through. So, proceeds from all purchases of Walker’s shirts and hats made through May 10, 2026, will go to the Warren family, helping them cover everything from medical expenses to travel from Portland, Maine, to Boston for treatment.
“I have boys of my own and was so blindsided by the news (about Lorenzo’s diagnosis),” Walker told EntertainmentNow. “It’s like the wind got knocked out of me when I saw that he was in the hospital. And then it just snowballed. It seemed to progress so quickly, where he went from getting diagnosed to going through chemo to suddenly having to lose his leg so the cancer doesn’t spread.”
“I had such a visceral reaction, knowing that could happen to my boys, knowing that it could happen to anybody’s children,” Walker continued, “and knowing we have so much power within this Hallmark community to help.”
Andrew Walker Hopes Hallmark Fans Will Show Up for Brave Lorenzo Warren
Walker has repeatedly witnessed Hallmark fans rally around causes important to him and his fellow stars on the network, including supporting the Alzheimer’s Association fundraisers he’s been part of with Ashley Williams and Nikki DeLoach. So he’s hopeful that fans will see his new merch release as a fun way to support Lorenzo and his family.
“This community is like a huge group of do-good soldiers who all want to help each other,” he told EntertainmentNow. “In a time of need, everybody comes together and we raise money for things. I’ve seen so many stories like this from people that have met each other at events like Christmas Con or Hallmark events, where there’s life-long relationships formed. And if somebody’s hurting or somebody needs something, they all lean on each other.”
“Whether it’s a prayer or a donation or a kind thought, we all collectively can move mountains together,” he said. “I think we’ve proven that. So I said to my friend (Jonny), ‘Look, there’s an opportunity here where I think Hallmark fans will get on board and really want to help your family.'”
Walker noted that fans frequently ask him what causes he cares about that they can donate to, and said that by sharing Lorenzo’s story, “This is a way for me to let people see behind the curtain something that’s happening in my life, that’s impacting a friend of mine, and have the chance to help.”
Dressing Festive worked with Walker to design six t-shirts and three baseball caps available for purchase, all with an “AW” logo and nods to the themes in “Kentucky Roses.” Proceeds from each sale made through May 10 will go to the Warren family.
“Kentucky Roses,” meanwhile, premieres on May 2 on Hallmark Channel at 8 p.m. Eastern time, and will be available to stream via Hallmark+ the following day.
