Kal's Story
Spring 2020 • Designer Jennie Korsbon
Kal, an amazing 17yo from Elko, MN is getting a room created in partnership with Gracie’s Room and the Make-A-Wish foundation. We are creating a space in an un-finished part of his family’s basement where he can spend time joking around, gaming, watching movies and hanging out with his close-knit friend group of approximately 15 other boys (they call themselves the NINJAs!) There will be a media center, photo wall of memories of his friends and family and a cozy couch and chairs where he can enjoy special time with family and friends.
Currently a Junior at Lakeville South, Kal plays middle infield for the baseball team. He is a HUGE Yankee’s fan, but of course has a soft spot for our local Twins. His baseball fandom doesn’t stop there, he is an avid college baseball follower too, and roots for the Vanderbilt Commodores every chance he gets.
Kal is intensely close to his sister, Madeleine, who is a Freshman at University of St. Thomas. He also has loving and supportive parents, Paula and Jerry.
Lucky for him, every year, his fellow baseball enthusiast and Aunt/God Mother Patty, takes him somewhere baseball themed as a special trip they can do together. From the Baseball College World Series to watch Vanderbilt , to watching the Cubs at Wrigley Field, he gets his baseball fix all year long!
Baseball is not only his main sport, but his outlet for fun within the family, as one afternoon last March (2019) just before tryouts for the Lakeville High School baseball team, he was out back playing catch with his dad, Jerry, when his neck started to bug him. He went inside to tell his mom, when she found a lump and took him to urgent care where he was then transferred to ER in Burnsville, and ultimately transferred to University of Minnesota Oncology, where they found a mass. It was Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma.
April 9th he started 5 rounds of chemo for 8 days every 21 days, followed by 20 sessions radiation.
Gratefully by October he had a “fairly clear” bill of health and by December he was in full remission. As of March 2020 he has regained the 20lbs he lost and grown his hair back.
Spring baseball has started, and Kal is gearing up for a great season! Gracie’s Room is overjoyed to be able to create a space just for him, where he can continue to spend time with his wonderful family and his “Ninja” boys.
Kal, a baseball enthusiast, discovered a lump in his neck while playing catch with his dad. The soon discovered he had Hodgkins Lymphoma. Fortunately chemo treatments were successful in helping him achieve remission.
At the time of this publishing COVID-19 has changed our world. Please keep all of Gracie’s Kids & families in mind as many of them are living in increased risk situations. All of us are “sheltering in place” like all of you. Be safe, enjoy each other and reach out to those you miss if you are alone - Gracie’s Room appreciates all of you and your enthusiasm for our mission: To create healing spaces for kids with life threatening illnesses.
Kal, an amazing 17yo from Elko, MN is getting a room created in partnership with Gracie’s Room and the Make-A-Wish foundation. We are creating a space in an un-finished part of his family’s basement where he can spend time joking around, gaming, watching movies and hanging out with his close-knit friend group of approximately 15 other boys (they call themselves the NINJAs!) There will be a media center, photo wall of memories of his friends and family and a cozy couch and chairs where he can enjoy special time with family and friends.
Currently a Junior at Lakeville South, Kal plays middle infield for the baseball team. He is a HUGE Yankee’s fan, but of course has a soft spot for our local Twins. His baseball fandom doesn’t stop there, he is an avid college baseball follower too, and roots for the Vanderbilt Commodores every chance he gets.
Kal is intensely close to his sister, Madeleine, who is a Freshman at University of St. Thomas. He also has loving and supportive parents, Paula and Jerry.
Lucky for him, every year, his fellow baseball enthusiast and Aunt/God Mother Patty, takes him somewhere baseball themed as a special trip they can do together. From the Baseball College World Series to watch Vanderbilt , to watching the Cubs at Wrigley Field, he gets his baseball fix all year long!
Baseball is not only his main sport, but his outlet for fun within the family, as one afternoon last March (2019) just before tryouts for the Lakeville High School baseball team, he was out back playing catch with his dad, Jerry, when his neck started to bug him. He went inside to tell his mom, when she found a lump and took him to urgent care where he was then transferred to ER in Burnsville, and ultimately transferred to University of Minnesota Oncology, where they found a mass. It was Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma.
April 9th he started 5 rounds of chemo for 8 days every 21 days, followed by 20 sessions radiation.
Gratefully by October he had a “fairly clear” bill of health and by December he was in full remission. As of March 2020 he has regained the 20lbs he lost and grown his hair back.
Spring baseball has started, and Kal is gearing up for a great season! Gracie’s Room is overjoyed to be able to create a space just for him, where he can continue to spend time with his wonderful family and his “Ninja” boys.
Kal, a baseball enthusiast, discovered a lump in his neck while playing catch with his dad. The soon discovered he had Hodgkins Lymphoma. Fortunately chemo treatments were successful in helping him achieve remission.
At the time of this publishing COVID-19 has changed our world. Please keep all of Gracie’s Kids & families in mind as many of them are living in increased risk situations. All of us are “sheltering in place” like all of you. Be safe, enjoy each other and reach out to those you miss if you are alone - Gracie’s Room appreciates all of you and your enthusiasm for our mission: To create healing spaces for kids with life threatening illnesses.
|
|
|