Local school group helps Salisbury family with child fighting cancer
A Salisbury family has been on a long physical, emotional, and financial road as their young son battles a rare form of cancer. However, a local school group is not letting them stand alone.
10- year- old Cameron Kaelin is a fourth grader at The Salisbury Christian School. He loves playing sports with his little brother Caleb. Cameron says, “Soccer, skate boarding and riding my bike.”
However, there is another constant in Cameron’s life. He explains, “needles.”
In November of 2014, he was diagnosed with a rare aggressive form of bone cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma. It was found in his foot. He tells 47 ABC where doctors put those needles, “My arms and my chest for where my port is.” The port is where he receives his chemo.
Cameron isn’t letting this disease define him. 47 ABC sat down with him Sunday at the Delmarva Evangilistic Church to learn a little more about him. We asked him if he liked Justin Bieber and One Direction, and learned that he’s not too big of a music fan.
So far Cameron has done eleven rounds of chemo with three more to go. Julie Kaelin, Cameron’s mom says, “It’s been difficult trying to balance everything with work, taking care of Cameron, and trips to the hospital.”
That’s where the Interact Club at the Salisbury Christian School comes in. As their final service project for the school year, they’re throwing a community picnic to raise money to help the Kaelin family cover the cost of Cameron’s medical expenses. The family travels to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia every other week for his treatments.
Katelyn Gregory, the picnic co-chair says, “One of the first things my group thought of was a way to help the Kaelin family. We know that Mr. Ross does so much for our school. We just really wanted to help.”
Mr. Ross, Cameron’s father, is also the director of facilities at The Salisbury Christian School. Students tell 47 ABC he’s always dedicated to making sure their school has everything they need. They believe this picnic could at least be a small way to repay him.
Grace Franks, the secretary of the Interact Club says, “It’s not really for us to feel good about ourselves. It’s really just about helping the Kaelins because we all love them as a school and as a whole.”
Cameron’s father tells 47 ABC he and his family could not be more grateful for the support.
Ross Kaelin goes on, “Our faith has carried us through it. We walk in peace everyday through this challenge. We know there’s a great plan for what we’re going through and what Cameron’s experiencing.”
The Caring for the Kaelin’s Community Picnic will be held on Sunday June Seventh from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Delmarva Evangelistic Church.
Tickets are available at the Salisbury Christian School and United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore. We’re also told the Interact Club could use a few more sponsors for the event as well. For more information on how to help, call the Salisbury Christian School at 410-546-0661.
