Meet 2021 Scholar Caleb

Our College Scholars receive a financial scholarship to help with academic expenses, and each scholar commits to undertaking a volunteer project of their choosing related to childhood cancer advocacy, with support and mentorship from the Children's Cancer Cause team.

Caleb’s Story

Caleb of Kailua, Hawaii, was diagnosed with Stage 2 Rhabdomyosarcoma at age 14, while on a summer vacation with his family.

Caleb spent his first day of high school in the hospital, receiving his initial round of chemotherapy. Six months of chemo, radiation, and surgeries would follow.

Caleb has been cancer-free since January 2018. He is planning to study Mechanical Engineering at Grove City College in Pennsylvania.

Caleb’s Advocacy Project

Caleb’s College Scholars project is focused on building a social network for military families affected by pediatric cancer. Caleb’s own upbringing as a military kid inspired his passion for this project.

“Military life on a family is difficult in and of itself,” says Caleb. “Pediatric cancer is also significantly hard on a family. When we combine these two demographics - military families and those affected by childhood cancer - we see a combination of challenges that can make basic life experiences significantly challenging.”

Caleb’s family experienced this first-hand after his treatment ended and his family was relocated to Hawaii. “My family had to build a new network, navigate a new medical treatment team, and learn what ‘survivorship’ was going to mean. The team that had helped me through my treatment - my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends from our church and from school - was no longer there.”

Caleb plans to create a social media presence aimed at connecting childhood cancer military families and sharing valuable information. He also aims to connect with and feature oncology pediatric specialty clinics at Army Medical Centers across the country.

“I want to create hope for military families who might otherwise feel isolated.”