Ethan Rhodes
Alec Cabacungan, a 17-year-old patient at Shriners Children’s Chicago, has been the leading spokesperson for the Shriners Hospitals for Children for about five years. Born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), or brittle bone disease, Alec has been part of the Shriners family since he was 2 months old. He has undergone numerous surgeries and physical therapy sessions, and has had to take a leave of absence from Northwestern University to focus on his recovery. Despite his condition, Alec embodies the hope and confidence that Shriners Hospitals for Children aims to instill in its patients, and he has dedicated himself to spreading the hospital's mission.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Alec Cabacungan |
| Age | 17 years old in 2019, 19 years old in 2022 |
| Role | Spokesperson/patient ambassador for Shriners Hospitals for Children |
| Condition | Brittle bone disease/osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) |
| Treatment | Surgery, physical therapy, and life-changing rods invented at Shriners |
| Progress | Plays wheelchair sports, attends college, and appears on television |
| Impact | Donations have skyrocketed since he started doing the ads |
| Years as Spokesperson | 5 years as of 2019, 7 years as of 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Alec Cabacungan's age
Alec Cabacungan, the patient ambassador and spokesman for Shriners Children's Chicago, was 17 years old when he started appearing in commercials for the hospital in 2019. Born with a rare genetic disorder called osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, Cabacungan has been a patient at Shriners for 19 years, receiving care since he was two months old.
Cabacungan's journey with Shriners began before he was born. His parents, Alma and Gill, were informed that their child would have a rare genetic disorder characterised by fragile bones that can frequently and easily break. Since receiving his diagnosis, Cabacungan has broken over 60 bones in his lifetime. Despite this, he remains determined to live a full life. He has undergone numerous surgeries and physical therapy sessions to strengthen his bones and improve his flexibility.
In addition to his medical treatments, Cabacungan has also been a spokesperson for Shriners Hospitals for Children, appearing in commercials to raise awareness and funds for the hospital. He has been doing these ads for seven years, and his presence has had a significant impact on the organisation. According to producer and director Tracy Trost, donations have skyrocketed since Cabacungan began appearing in the commercials.
Cabacungan's role as a spokesperson has not only increased donations but also inspired and mentored other children facing similar challenges. His feisty personality and infectious smile have endeared him to thousands of TV viewers, and he has become a source of hope and confidence for families and children associated with Shriners Hospitals.
At the time of writing, Cabacungan is now 19 years old and is pursuing his dream of becoming a sports broadcaster. He is currently a student at Northwestern University, majoring in sports broadcasting. Despite his condition, he remains determined to achieve his goals and live a fulfilling life.
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Shriners Hospitals
One of the most well-known patients and spokespeople for Shriners Hospitals is Alec Cabacungan, who was born with a rare genetic disorder called osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), or brittle bone disease. Cabacungan has been a patient at Shriners Children's Chicago since he was 2 months old and has had to undergo numerous surgeries and physical therapy sessions due to his condition. Despite his health challenges, Cabacungan has a fighting spirit and a positive attitude. He has been a patient ambassador and spokesman for the hospital for seven years, appearing in commercials to raise funds and awareness for Shriners Hospitals.
In one interview, the then 17-year-old Cabacungan shared his journey with Shriners Hospitals, saying, "I used to be known as just that kid in the wheelchair, and now I'm Alec on the commercials, and that's special to me." He has been praised for his feisty personality and has helped to raise awareness and funds for the hospital through his appearances in commercials. Cabacungan's goal is to become a sports broadcaster, and he has been studying at Northwestern University while also undergoing intensive post-surgery physical therapy.
Cabacungan's story and involvement with Shriners Hospitals have had a significant impact. Since he began appearing in commercials, donations to the hospital have skyrocketed. His message of hope and resilience has resonated with many, and he has become a mentor figure to other children facing similar challenges.
Through the support of donors and the dedication of staff like Dr. Peter Smith, Shriners Hospitals have helped over 1.5 million children to reach their potential and lead more fulfilling lives. The hospital system provides advanced treatments, emotional support, and a sense of community for children and families facing rare and challenging health conditions.
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Brittle bone disease
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), colloquially known as brittle bone disease, is a genetic disorder that results in weak and brittle bones that break easily. The disease ranges from mild to severe and can cause a variety of symptoms, including multiple fractures, malformed or bowing of long bones, short stature, skin that bruises easily, loose joints, weak muscles, hearing loss, and breathing problems. In some cases, OI can lead to potentially life-threatening complications such as tearing of major arteries and pulmonary valve insufficiency.
OI is caused by a defect in the genes that carry the instructions for making type I collagen, a material in bones that helps make them strong. This defect can cause the body to make collagen incorrectly or not make enough, leading to weak and brittle bones. In some rare forms of OI, the disease does not affect the structure of collagen but instead affects the function of bone-forming cells.
OI is typically diagnosed through medical imaging, including X-rays and DEXA scans, which can show abnormalities in the bones. Treatment for OI aims to prevent deformities and fractures and can include bisphosphonate medicines and surgical procedures to insert metal rods into the long bones to improve strength.
Alec Cabacungan, the patient ambassador and spokesman for Shriners Children's Chicago, has been living with brittle bone disease since he was 2 months old. Now 19 years old, Alec has undergone numerous surgeries and physical therapy to manage his condition. Through a series of commercials over the past seven years, Alec has raised awareness and funds for Shriners hospitals, which have helped him throughout his life.
Shriners hospitals have been instrumental in developing treatments for brittle bone disease, including the invention of life-changing intramedullary rods over 70 years ago. These rods are surgically inserted into the long bones to make them stronger and less prone to breakage, enabling children with OI to move around better and live more independent lives.
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Osteogenesis Imperfecta
The disorder is characterised by weak, low-mineral-density bones that are prone to fractures. In more severe cases, the long bones may be extremely bowed. The condition primarily affects mobility, and rodding surgery during childhood can help improve this.
There are at least eight different types of Osteogenesis Imperfecta, with Type I being the least severe and most common. The symptoms of Osteogenesis Imperfecta can include blue-tinted whites of the eyes (sclerae), short stature, loose joints, hearing loss, breathing problems, and dental issues (dentinogenesis imperfecta). In severe cases, potentially life-threatening complications can arise, such as tearing of major arteries and pulmonary valve insufficiency.
Alec Cabacungan, the 19-year-old patient ambassador and spokesman for Shriners Children's Chicago, has been a patient at the hospital for 19 years and has appeared in their commercials for seven years. Born with a severe form of Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Alec has undergone numerous surgeries and physical therapy. He is currently a student at Northwestern University, pursuing a major in sports broadcasting.
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Fundraising commercials
The Shriners Hospitals commercial is a great illustration of how powerful storytelling can be in fundraising. By featuring Alec's personal journey and his positive outlook despite his health challenges, the commercial connects with viewers on an emotional level. This approach is similar to the campaign featuring NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who protested police brutality and racism, causing a boycott of Nike products. However, the campaign's bold stance ultimately increased Nike's market value by $6 billion.
Another effective strategy in fundraising commercials is to partner with influencers or public figures who can expand your reach and engage audiences. For example, The Truth Initiative's campaign to end teen smoking featured Vine and Instagram stars, racking up 4 million views in 24 hours. Similarly, the "Like a Girl" campaign, which aimed to empower young girls, launched with a video that gained over 85 million views across 150 countries.
Lastly, utilizing digital platforms and corporate giving opportunities during key philanthropic events can create powerful synergies. For instance, Doctors Without Borders combined Facebook Fundraiser and Facebook Ads with matching gift programs, resulting in significant donations. Similarly, Google Ads have been effective for organizations like the Glacier National Park Conservancy and Claire's Place Foundation, allowing them to target specific keywords and drive donations and involvement.
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Frequently asked questions
Alec Cabacungan was 17 years old when he started doing the commercials in 2014. In 2022, he was 19 years old.
Alec was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), or brittle bone disease, a genetic bone disorder characterised by fragile bones that can frequently and easily break.
Alec has been part of the Shriners family since he was 2 months old. In 2022, he celebrated 19 years with the hospital.
