Meet Caleb – Neuroblastoma Warrior

"This journey would have been a lot harder without the National Children’s Cancer Society," said Caleb’s Father, Martin.

Caleb was just 4 years old when his life and the lives of his parents, Martin and Chika, and siblings Matthew and Maura changed forever. What began as fevers and back pain that seemed like a lingering virus soon revealed a far more serious reality. After a series of scans, doctors delivered the shocking news: Caleb had neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that had already spread throughout his body. At that time, 25 cancerous spots were discovered, leaving his family stunned and bracing for a journey they could never have imagined.

Martin recalled, “In February of 2017, we learned the hard way that man, [cancer] hit closer to the heart. It hit my kid. We knew it was out there before, but we just thought it was out there somewhere, affecting some other family. Selfishly, we say that, but we didn’t know that we were going to be one of those families.”

That summer, Caleb underwent surgery in New York to remove the primary tumor. Yet the disease persisted. Chemotherapy followed, gradually reducing the spots to four, and after rounds of radiation and immunotherapy, only one spot remained. Caleb’s bone marrow cleared, and hope began to glimmer on the horizon.

Martin credits his family’s faith as one of the biggest sources of support, especially through Caleb’s diagnosis: “Our strength is only from Him. Our verse that we continue to hold on to is Joshua 1:9. We have it on our armband we wear. It’s a verse of encouragement of staying strong, staying brave, and staying courageous. ‘For the Lord, your God, will be with you wherever you go.’ In this journey with cancer, we have gone through ups and downs, and in the up and in the down, we still continue to rely on His strength to get us through.”

At the time of Caleb’s diagnosis, a heavy question weighed on his parents’ minds: would he ever have the chance to experience school like other children? Martin shared, “We didn’t know what school would look like, because on his chemotherapy, he can’t be exposed to viruses and stuff like that.” Fortunately, Caleb was able to attend school and not only participate, but thrive, embracing his academic journey with determination and enthusiasm.

Despite a weakened immune system and the nausea that came with chemotherapy, Caleb’s spirit and his family’s support never faltered. His father even shaved his head alongside him, and his mother and siblings provided ever-present support. “Caleb’s very resilient. I think there’s something to say about childhood cancer in general. Again, I can’t say for all cases; I can only say this having gone through it with Caleb, but he is resilient, and just how positive he can be, how carefree he is.”

But childhood cancer is rarely a straight path. In December of 2018, Caleb’s cancer returned. Additional chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation followed to rid his body of the cells. Nearly a year later, he was declared cancer-free, only for a new spot to appear on the back of his head a month later. The family returned to New York for another round of radiation, steadfast in faith and hope despite the heartbreak of repeated setbacks.

The years that followed tested Caleb and his family in ways that words can hardly capture. Early in 2020, he underwent additional chemotherapy and radiation 700 miles from home, only to later transfer to a center in Indiana, closer to the family.

Through the pandemic, Caleb continued virtual schooling, participated in cross country, played the trombone, and took on leadership roles at school, all while navigating ongoing treatments and follow-up scans. His extraordinary character even earned him the school’s highest award, for his academic excellence, positive attitude, and the high standards he set for himself.

A moment where Martin and Chika felt immense pride in Caleb came from a rather ordinary moment: “Caleb emailed his teacher one day. He got an A- on an assignment, and he had a 4.0. We found an email Caleb sent out of his own initiative to ask his teacher what he did wrong and which area he missed. He asked if there was any way for extra credit to make up for it. So he’s really working hard for that perfection and to do the best he could. From that standpoint, my wife and I are really proud of him.” Caleb’s quiet, carefree nature, paired with a fierce drive for excellence in school and sports, shows a child who has faced unimaginable adversity and continues to thrive.

Martin emphasizes the lessons they learned about faith, fear, and perspective. “Fear is such an ugly thing. Whatever the prognosis or kind of news that you get, fear such a deadly thing in that when you hear it, the fact of the matter does not change, right? The news is the news. It won’t change regardless of whether you cry or if you’re anxious about it or if you continue to run the story 15,000 times in your mind. The news is the news, and you’re just trying to conquer that fear by not putting that fear into a megaphone.”

Even in remission, life has its challenges. Caleb experienced hearing loss due to treatment, requiring hearing aids. Yet these challenges are framed within gratitude for everyday joys. Caleb’s first day of middle school, the laughter of his siblings, and the ability to enjoy family trips all feel profound, a sharp contrast to the uncertainty of his early years.

The family marks each February 28^th, the anniversary of Caleb’s diagnosis, with Caleb’s Ark, an event spreading acts of random kindness inspired by their journey. From small gestures like buying meals for strangers to sharing Caleb’s story worldwide, the family transforms their experience into hope for others, spreading joy where they can. “Without Caleb’s story, these acts of kindness wouldn’t have happened,” Martin said. “Because of Caleb’s story, more kindness was shared.”

Today, Caleb is cancer-free, thirteen years old, thriving in school, and embracing life with humor, intelligence, and quiet strength. While many think being cancer-free means being “on the other side of cancer,” Martin shares insightful perception: “I don’t know if there is a clear side [of being on the other side of cancer,] like I was here and now I’m there. I have to acknowledge that this is still a part of that journey, albeit easier, that we don’t go to hospitals as much, Caleb doesn’t get poked as much, and we’re not doing chemo anymore, but there’s a part of that journey where I feel like we’re still there.”

How We Helped

Since 2017, the NCCS has been by Caleb and his family’s side, ensuring that access to his lifesaving treatment was never out of reach. The cost of frequent flights to New York can quickly add up, but through our Transportation Assistance Fund, Caleb’s family never had to worry about how they would get there. Our Emergency Assistance Fund provided additional peace of mind, helping cover essential expenses like their mortgage. The NCCS also provided free resources to support the entire family; Caleb received Sammie’s New Mask: A Coloring Book for Friends of Children with Cancer, while Martin and Chika found comfort and guidance in The Other Side of the Mountain: A Parent’s Guide to Surviving Childhood Cancer.

The journey is far from forgotten, but he and his family continue to celebrate every victory, every ordinary day, and the simple joy of being together. Caleb’s story is a testament to faith, resilience, and the extraordinary courage of a child who refuses to be defined by cancer.

Martin’s advice to any families just starting out on this journey: “Even in the midst of this, my advice would be to just to take it one day at a time and continue to know that God is always there for you.”