Claire Dawson
Shriners Hospitals for Children's spokesperson, Alec Cabacungan, has been the face of the organization for the past 10 years. Born with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, Cabacungan first appeared on television screens at 11 years old, talking about his love for Shriners Children's. He has undergone countless operations, having broken over 60 bones in his lifetime, and has been a patient at Shriners since he was two months old. Cabacungan's work as a spokesperson has helped raise awareness and funds for the hospital, with donations skyrocketing since he started.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Alec Cabacungan |
| Nickname | "The guy from Shriners" |
| Age | 17 years old |
| Condition | Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or OI (Brittle Bone Disease) |
| Number of broken bones | Over 60 |
| Number of surgeries | 18 |
| Current health status | Healthy |
| Career aspirations | Sports broadcaster |
| Current occupation | Spokesperson for Shriners Hospitals for Children |
| Years as spokesperson | 5 |
| University | Northwestern University |
| Major | Sports broadcasting |
| Hobbies | Video games, cars |
| TV show appearances | Inside the NBA, TNT's NBA halftime show |
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What You'll Learn
Alec Cabacungan is 17 years old
Shriners Hospitals is a network of 22 children's hospitals spread across North America. The hospitals are supported by the Masonic Shriners International fraternity and provide all medical care, testing, treatment, and therapy for patients up to 18 years old, regardless of their ability to pay.
Alec has been the face of Shriners Hospitals for five years, and his inspiring story has helped increase donations significantly. He is currently a student at Northwestern University, majoring in sports broadcasting. Alec's journey with Shriners Hospitals is a testament to the impact the organization has on the lives of children and their families.
In addition to Alec, another notable patient ambassador for Shriners Hospitals is Kaleb Wolff (also known as Kaleb-Wolf De Melo Torres in some sources). Kaleb, who was born with OI, underwent his first surgery at just 7 days old and has broken his bones over 200 times. He is 15 years old and continues to inspire others with his resilience and determination.
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He has osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease
Shriners Hospitals is a system of 22 children's hospitals supported by the Masonic Shriners International fraternity. One of their spokespeople is Alec Cabacungan, a 17-year-old patient at Shriners Children's Chicago. He has been a patient there for 19 years, since he was 2 months old.
Alec was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, a genetic bone disorder caused by a lack of or abnormal collagen in the bones, making them break frequently and easily. He has undergone countless operations, having broken over 60 bones in his lifetime. His most recent procedure was in December after his wheelchair flipped while he was wheeling across a snowy sidewalk, resulting in a broken left shoulder, right knee, and left hip.
Despite the challenges of living with a rare disease, Alec has a feisty personality and a passion for sports and broadcasting. He started his own YouTube channel called Smart Alec on Sports and even made an appearance on TNT's NBA halftime show. Alec is also one of the spokes-kids for Shriners, and his involvement has helped raise awareness and donations for the hospital. He wants to give back to Shriners and provide hope to kids like him.
Another patient ambassador for Shriners Hospitals is 15-year-old Kaleb Wolff from Canada, who has also been a patient since birth due to osteogenesis imperfecta. Kaleb has broken his bones over 200 times and has undergone 11 surgeries. Despite these challenges, he continues to learn to stand and walk on his own, inspiring other children facing orthopedic conditions.
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He has broken over 60 bones in his lifetime
Shriners Hospitals' spokesperson, Alec Cabacungan, has broken over 60 bones in his lifetime. Cabacungan was born with a rare genetic disorder called osteogenesis imperfecta, or OI, which is better known as brittle bone disease. This condition is caused by a lack of or abnormal collagen in the bones, making them extremely fragile and prone to frequent and easy breakage.
Cabacungan has been a patient at Shriners Children's Chicago since he was 2 months old and has undergone countless operations due to his condition. Despite the challenges, he has a feisty personality and a positive attitude towards life. He refuses to let his disability define him and is determined to live as independently as possible. For example, he is learning to drive and has his own car, with pedal extensions to accommodate his reach.
Sports are a significant part of Cabacungan's life and provide him with an escape from the difficulties of living with a rare disease. He plays sports often, and the Shriners even named a court after him. He has also started a YouTube channel called "Smart Alec on Sports," showcasing his knowledge of sports stats and trivia. His passion for sports has led him to consider a career in sports broadcasting, and he is currently majoring in this field at Northwestern University.
Cabacungan's role as a spokesperson for Shriners Hospitals has been instrumental in raising awareness and funds for the organization. He has been featured in commercials for the hospital, and his inspiring story has resonated with many people. By sharing his journey and giving back to Shriners Hospitals, he is providing hope and mentorship to other children facing similar challenges.
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He has been a Shriners Hospitals for Children spokesperson for 5 years
Shriners Hospitals for Children has been represented by its national spokesperson, Alec Cabacungan, for 5 years. Cabacungan, who has osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, has been part of the Shriners family since he was 2 months old. He has broken more than 60 bones throughout his life and has undergone 18 surgeries and thousands of hours of rehabilitation.
Cabacungan first appeared on television screens across the nation at 11 years old, talking about his love for Shriners Children's. He has since appeared in countless ads, touting the doctors, nurses, surgeons, and physical therapists at the global healthcare system. Since becoming a spokesperson, donations to Shriners Hospitals for Children have skyrocketed.
In addition to his work as a spokesperson, Cabacungan has pursued other opportunities in media and sports broadcasting. He started his own YouTube channel called Smart Alec on Sports and has appeared on TNT's "Inside the NBA." He has also worked for the Pacers on multiple teams, including digital, broadcast, and production.
Cabacungan's work as a spokesperson for Shriners Hospitals for Children has not only raised awareness and funds for the organization but has also inspired other patients. His positive attitude and determination to live an independent life despite his medical challenges have made him a mentor to many.
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He is studying sports broadcasting at Northwestern University
Shriners Hospitals is a network of 22 children's hospitals spread across North America. The hospitals are supported by the Masonic Shriners International fraternity and provide all medical care, testing, treatment, and therapy for patients up to 18 years old, regardless of their ability to pay.
One of the spokespeople for Shriners Hospitals is Alec Cabacungan, who has been a patient at Shriners Children's Chicago since he was 2 months old. Born with a rare genetic disorder called osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) or brittle bone disease, Alec has broken over 60 bones in his lifetime and has undergone countless operations. Despite the challenges, Alec is an ambitious young man who is currently majoring in sports broadcasting at Northwestern University.
Alec's interest in sports broadcasting began with his love for sports, which served as an escape from the difficulties of living with a rare disease. He often played sports at the Shriners hospital, which even named a court after him. Alec started his own YouTube channel called "Smart Alec on Sports," showcasing his extensive knowledge of sports stats and trivia. His talent was recognized by TNT, who invited him to join their NBA halftime show.
Alec's journey and positive attitude have inspired many, and he has been a spokesperson for Shriners Hospitals for several years. In addition to commercials, he also participates in fundraising efforts for the hospital. His message of hope and determination resonates with many, and he has helped raise awareness and donations for Shriners Hospitals.
Alec's academic pursuits in sports broadcasting at Northwestern University demonstrate his dedication to turning his passion into a career. While his medical condition may pose challenges, Alec remains focused on his studies and is actively involved in gaining practical experience in the field. His resilience and drive are an inspiration to those around him.
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Frequently asked questions
The Shriners Hospitals spokesperson, Alec Cabacungan, was 17 years old in 2023 when he was interviewed by CBS News. He has been the face of Shriners Hospitals for Children for 10 years.
Alec Cabacungan was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, a rare genetic disorder that affects the bones, causing them to break easily and potentially leading to deformities. He has broken over 60 bones in his lifetime and has undergone 18 surgeries.
Alec Cabacungan dreams of becoming a sports broadcaster. He has already gained experience in this field by working with the Pacers and hosting TNT's "Inside the NBA." He also started his own YouTube channel called "Smart Alec on Sports."
