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NTAF Patient Spotlight: Meet Kaleb Rancer

09/02/2010
News

In 2005, 2-year-old Kaleb Rancer was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder -- His bone marrow was failing. After being evaluated by doctors at several different hospitals it was decided that chemotherapy followed by a cord blood stem cell transplant would be Kaleb's best chance for survival.

A family friend of the Rancers called NTAF to start a fundraising campaign to raise money to help pay for the many uninsured expenses related to Kaleb's medical care. The local community wrapped its arms around the family, and with the help of NTAF - raised nearly $50,000. 

In November 2005, Kaleb received the gift of life at the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Duke.

In October 2010, Kaleb will celebrate his 7th birthday!

View photos below from our day of filming with the Rancers. The Why Fundraise for Transplant? video
 will be available to view on the NTAF Web site by the end of October 2010.

	Kaleb (right) with his older sister Katherine (a.k.a. "Sissy") at the Rancer's home in High Point, NC.
	Kaleb showing his cars and tracks to Joni Henderson, the Rancer's NTAF Patient Services Coordinator, in his toy room.
	Kaleb playfully tussling with Katherine in the toy room.
	Front: Kaleb, his mom, Trish, and Katherine sitting on the family couch waiting for filming to begin. Back:  Kaleb's father, Phillip, and Joni catching up in the Rancer's kitchen.  After talking on the phone for the past five years (some week's daily), Joni and Phillip finally had a chance to meet face to face.
	After filming, the executive producer of Cornerstone Pictures Bill German presented Kaleb with a brand new soccer ball.
	Kaleb outside the Rancer's home prepparing to kick around his new soccer ball with Katherine
	Kaleb and Katherine
	Joni and Kaleb
	Trish, Joni and Phillip
	Back row (from left): Katherine, Trish, Joni, Phillip and Shannon. Front row (center): Kaleb Rancer.