Meet Kaleb

When Kaleb was referred to St. Jude for treatment of a blood disorder, he and his family found hope despite the challenges they faced.

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St. Jude patient Kaleb

St Jude patient Kaleb with his mom

Kaleb's story

When Kaleb began to walk, his mom, Jerhonda, made sure he took his first steps in his playpen. When he had enough balance, she let him try his steps on the harder floor.

Jerhonda must be extra careful with Kaleb, her middle child, because one fall can mean a major bruise.

As a baby, Kaleb was diagnosed with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), an autoimmune disorder, a condition where the immune system destroys platelets, resulting in very low numbers of platelets in the blood. Platelets are blood cells that help stop bleeding. ITP can cause easy bruising and bleeding. Jerhonda had never heard of the blood disorder.

“It was scary,” she said.

St. Jude patient Kaleb with his dad

Doctors referred Kaleb to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She was relieved to hear that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.

I was overjoyed that my son could receive treatment and I didn’t have to worry about [the medical expenses].

- Jerhonda, Kaleb's mom

At St. Jude, Jerhonda said Kaleb was treated to slow down the destruction of platelets. For years, he also received weekly injections with thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TPO-RA), a medication that stimulates the production of platelets in the bone marrow and reduces the risk of bleeding. He is currently treated with an oral TPO-RA.

St. Jude and its staff take care of the children like they are their own children.

- Jerhonda, Kaleb's mom

Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.

Jerhonda described Kaleb as playful, smart, independent and curious. He also loves to run, play basketball and cuddle with his mother, and enjoys music and humming along to songs.