Preliminary estimates are in on Kaleb's event. Through the love and support of the entire community, nearly $20,000 has been raised and we are still counting! Special thanks to Katie Shoemaker and her organizing committee, who's love and hard work created an unforgettable day for the Heaps family, and thank you to each and everyone of you for stepping forward to do ANYTHING FOR A FRIEND! We love and appreciate all of you. 

Kaleb Heaps

Kaleb is not unlike most of the 9-year-olds that you may know. He has two older brothers and one younger sister. He loves tackle football, snowboarding, riding motorcycles, cub scouts, and playing games with his family and friends.  On the other hand, he may be unlike most other 9 years that you know as he is in a battle for his life!

In May 2011 Kaleb started to throw up every once in a while and the doctors did not have any answers.  Kaleb was sent home.  He continued throwing up during the summer and was taken to a specialist, who ran blood tests, again no answers!

The year rolled on and the pain, frustration, and disease progressed and on October 8^th, 2011 Kaleb was taken to the emergency room at Primary Children's Hospital because the throwing up was now accompanied by severe headaches.

The Heaps family was brought to their knees when the CT scan revealed a Medulloblastoma (a form of brain cancer). Unable to breathe and recover from the shock and horror of the initial diagnosis, Kaleb was rushed into surgery the next day to remove the tumor that had made its home in this sweet boys brain.

After the brain surgery he spent 5 weeks in Primary Children's Hospital and did 60 treatments of radiation at Huntsman Cancer Hospital. His life switched immediately from footballs, snowballs, and friends, to hospital rooms, IV’s, and doctors. 

Kaleb is courageous and sweet!  As a result of the life saving treatments he is dealing with Ataxia, which means the left side of his body does not work correctly. He cannot walk without help, and wears an eye patch to help with the double vision. 

He is home now with his family and goes back and forth to Primary Children’s for Chemotherapy, which he will do for the next year. 

This regular 9 year old is not regular at all, he is extraordinary and an example to all who meet him.  He courageously battles this cancer and is working really hard to regain some of his losses through physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

This little boy and his great family are in need of all of our help.  Please join us in doing ‘Anything for a Friend’!

About the Event:

Event Date:  May 19th, 2012

Event Time: 9am-1pm

Location:

Dr. O. Roi Hardy Park
12400 S. 1000W.
 Riverton, UT 

Activities:  

• 5K Fun Run (register online at http://runthatrace.com/events/2012/kaleb-heaps-anything-for-a-friend-5k. Register now and save and ensure the shirt size that you would like!)
• Breakfast
• Auction
• Kid's Corner
• Balloon Launch

**** We are so excited to let you know that Gretchen Jensen from Good Things Utah will be joining us at Kaleb's event.  Come out and meet this special lady  and let her know how much we appreciate her support of the members of this community.  Thank you Gretchen you are incredible.**Click on her picture and let her know how much you appreciate her service!

 

Thank you Gretchen Jensen!

In 1989, Gretchen made history when she became the fifth consecutive Miss Texas to win the title of Miss USA. She went on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant where she finished second. 

After her reign, Gretchen went to work as a sports commentator for ESPN. During the 13 years she worked there, she covered a wide variety of events such as The International Special Olympics, several years with The National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, and the sports trivia show, "The Dream League." 

She also covered such events as Off-Shore Powerboat Racing, Beach Volleyball, The Bud Lite Water Sports Tour, America's Horse, Olympic Hopefuls, Celebrities in Sports and a wide variety of Equestrian Sports. 

She was also a field reporter on the daily show right here at ABC4, "Utah Living." 

She has been a national spokesperson for Minolta Cameras, JC Penney's, Proctor and Gamble, Wrangler Jeans, Subaru and Pepsi. 

Gretchen enjoys her involvement with several national charity groups and participates in various youth, civic and corporate organizations. 

She's a single mom and has five children.

 

 

Balloon Launch:

We are well aware that there is an entire community that is struggling along with Kaleb and his family; we will be holding a special balloon launch for Kaleb at the event.  Imagine Kaleb and his family in the middle of hundreds of loved ones, each holding a balloon as a symbol of their love, support, faith, and hope.  It will be a special moment for all of us to reflect on what's truly important!  We are selling balloons starting at $2/balloon and we have had balloons go for up to $501 a piece!  We would love your support in this united expression of hope!  Please send your message and donation to:

Anything for a Friend/Kaleb Heaps (specify balloons in the memo) 2573 N. 2450 E. Layton, UT. 84040

**Special thanks to theBallooneyBin for their love and support of the balloon launch!

Loved meeting Kaleb up at Primary Children's!  I am so happy that this special boy does not have to fight cancer alone.  We love you Kaleb!

 

Organizing Committee Meeting:

 

Come join us in the organization of Kaleb's event!  We need your help to bring love, support, and compassion to the Heaps. Please contact Katie at k8shoe@gmail.com for details.  Now is the perfect time to really HELP THE HEAPS!

Date: Wednesday, May 16th

Time: 7:00pm

Address:  Melanie's house

               

 

Special thanks to an incredible group of people!

Emily's sweet little girls, Avery and Siena are following in their mom's footsteps and set up a lemonade stand for Kaleb!  They made over $85 in two hours--Incredible hearts in little bodies.

 

Jenny Reynolds rallied the troops in the Beacon Hill Neighborhood!  These incredible kids and their fearless leader raised $336.75 for Kaleb!  How comforting to think that the fate of this world will fall into the hands and hearts of these kids!   Thank you all from the deepest part of my heart.

Sincerely,  Becky

 

Kaleb and his family made a special visit while the committee was putting together baskets for the event!  Special thanks to Melanie Hall and her family for being in charge of the Auction Committee.