Returning the love with gratitude
Eagle Scout Cale Williams in his uniform for Troop 316.
In November 2022, then 15-year-old Cale Williams was featured in The Castle Pines Connection as a sophomore at Rock Canyon High School who had come through cancer, thanks to God, his doctors and all of those around him. He was quick to say it was his faith and his community that helped him push through his PEComa diagnosis. Cale had a tumor in his abdomen that had attached to one of his organs, requiring surgery and treatments.
“Not being alone in my trials has been one of the most inspiring things I have ever experienced in my life,” said Cale. “Seeing the kindness of friends, family, school administrators and teachers throughout this process renewed a deep sense of gratitude for every sacrifice that has been made for me along this journey.”
It is that love of community and the knowledge of what someone in the hospital goes through that has Cale back in the news today.
This time, as a senior, he is asking for help for others. Through his Eagle Scout project, Cale hopes to collect donations focused on interactive toys that will comfort children during their stay at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children (RMHC), the hospital where he stayed two years ago.
By scanning the QR code with your phone’s camera, you can go directly to the Amazon wish list for RMHC. Anything you purchase will go directly to Cale’s home in Forest Park, which he will in turn deliver to RMHC.
“I hope to be able to fill the two storage rooms the hospital has for toy donations; they are both roughly the size of a bedroom,” he added.
The goal for Cale is helping other kids fighting a battle he too has fought, and there is no better time since September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
“To help provide kids with a similar experience to the comfort I experienced at the hospital would be a dream come true,” said Cale. “This project allows me to give back to the doctors, nurses and staff at RMHC who took such great care of me and allows them the resources to better care for the kids today and in the future.”
Cale plans to collect donations through October 5.
You can follow Cale’s project on Instagram at @comfortkidswithcancer or email him at coloradocale@gmail.com.
These are just a few of the options you can purchase to help the kids out at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children.
Cale said riding in an ambulance was a scary experience for him, and the gifts he is collecting will help with the fear of going to the hospital.
By Karen Leigh; photos courtesy of Cale Williams
