Rajah News - August '21

The Dynamic Duo –
Alec & Kaleb for
Shriners Hospitals
By Sam Ellis
They form a great team when appearing in one of their Love to the
Rescue television promotions for Shriners Hospitals. Although they
live in different countries and are four years apart in age, they share
similarities on how they came to work together in the very successful
Direct Response media campaign.
Alec Cabacungan, now 18, seen on the right in the picture, lives in
Chicago and is quite the active teenager. He has been receiving treatment
for Osteogenesis Imperfect (OI), at the Chicago Shriners Hospital since
2002. OI is a genetic bone disorder characterized by fragile bones that
can frequently and easily break. He has had over 60 bone fractures. But
thanks to the outstanding care and innovative treatment Alec receives
from Shriners Hospitals his muscles are strengthening and his bones are
breaking less often.
OI is something he has in common with Kaleb. They both suffer
from the disease.
Kaleb Torres, now 14, lives in Montreal, Canada and has been a
patient at the Shriners Hospital in Montreal since he was 7 days old. “He had fractures when he was born,” his mother said. “But it
wasn’t as stressful as it could have been because we knew that specialists were taking good care of him.”
Kaleb has broken his bones over 200 times, has undergone 11 surgeries, and faced challenges many of us could never imagine.
But that hasn’t let that stop him! Today, he is stronger than ever and is even learning to stand and walk on his own.
Alec became a spokesperson 2014 at age 12 when he came to the attention of a director for the advertising agency which
produces the Love to the Rescue commercials. “He is a special kid. He has a lifeforce in him that not a lot of people have,” said the
director. Alex has since become a popular television star, has been interviewed on numerous national news and talk shows, and has
captured the hearts of many with his adorable smile and charming personality.
Kaleb came to be a spokesperson after being chosen as a patient ambassador at the Shriners hospital in Montreal, Canada. It
soon became clear that this photogenic young boy with the bubbly personality had a talent for this sort of thing. Kaleb has since
appeared in international campaigns, promotional videos, public service announcements and fundraisers for Shriners Hospitals as
well as for other causes.
The 14-year-old Kaleb has become a frequent side kick with 18-year-old Alec. He was introduced in an ad with Alec featuring
a split screen phone call. Since then, the two have appeared together in several commercials. They make a great team to promote
the services of Shriners Hospitals. Since Alec and now Kaleb have started doing the commercials, donations have skyrocketed!
“I used to be known as just a kid in a wheelchair, and now I’m Alec on the commercials and that is special for me.” Alec said
in a talk show interview. “Shriner’s hospitals have given me a life where I can live without limitations.”
“Kaleb realizes how much he has
accomplished at such a young age, and
he’s proud of himself,” his mother said.
“He enjoys the satisfaction of knowing
that he’s helping other kids like him.”.
Together Alec and Kaleb have
contributed to the success of the Love
to the Rescue ad campaign and to the
recognition of the services provided by
Shriners Hospitals for Children.
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