Local athlete needs your help
On several occasions, I’ve written about Caleb Spady.
The first time was a column back in the fall when the Hinton boy had a Make-A-Wish day with the Texas Rangers. Since then, I’ve had the good fortune to write about the care package he received during the Major League Baseball playoffs from fellow Caddo County native Reggie Willits as well as several blogs about Caleb’s battle with brain cancer.
I consider it a privilege each and every time I can write about him. Because of his strength and his faith, this little boy has brought so much inspiration to everyone who knows his story.
Well, now it’s time to return the favor.
Today is Caleb’s 11th birthday. He recently told his mom that he didn’t want a big to-do or anything but that he wouldn’t mind getting birthday cards.
Even though it will get to Caleb a little late, I hope you’ll send him a birthday card today.
(His mom, Kim, shared their address on her blog, so I hope she won’t mind me sharing it here: Box 308, Hinton, OK 73047.)
Just in case you need evidence of what kind of kid Caleb is, he and his class at Hinton raised money for Just One More Day for Love, Hope & A Cure (www.justonemoreday.org), a non-profit corporation dedicated to finding a cure for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma and to supporting the families of children like Caleb who have the disease. It is an inoperable form of cancer because the cells are sprinkled within the brain stem.
Caleb’s class raised $500 by selling “Pray for Caleb” wristbands.
Way to go!
As a reward, the class got a visit earlier this week from Pistol Pete; Caleb and his entire family are huge Oklahoma State fans.
Caleb’s mom e-mailed me about the festivities: “The devotion of Caleb’s classmates to finding a cure, and their level of innocence, was brought home to me when one of his best friends told me, ‘I can’t wait until we send in the money we raised for research. Then they’ll find a cure for Caleb’s brain tumor!’”
Rest assured, that will be my birthday wish for Caleb.
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Comments
Hey Jenni- Just wanted to tell you thanks so much for returning my call and for helping Caleb receive so many cards for his b-day. He is truly a hero among our small town and we appreciate all you continue to do to help get the word out about this family and the struggles of having a child with cancer. He continues to push himself so he can play the next sport whatever that may be- he is truly a sports hero , who loves the game whatever it may be. Thanks again for helping out this great family and thanks to the oklahoman readers who helped a boy have a great b-day. the family will be traveling to touch base with the specialist and to choose which route to take on his therapy. Please continue to pass the word along and to continue to pray for Caleb. Sandy Garrison
I’m praying for you, Caleb…
God Bless…