Ethan Rhodes
Alec Cabacungan, the patient ambassador and spokesman for Shriners Children's Chicago, was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) or brittle bone disease. He has been part of the Shriners family since he was 2 months old and has undergone multiple surgeries and physical therapy. Alec has been giving back to Shriners hospitals by raising awareness and funds for the hospital through commercials, with the aim of giving hope to kids like him.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Alec Cabacungan |
| Age | 19 years old |
| Residence | Oak Park |
| College | Northwestern University |
| Major | Sports broadcasting |
| Disease | Brittle bone disease (osteogenesis imperfecta (OI)) |
| Symptoms | Frequent fractures, bowing of the long bones of his arms and legs |
| Treatment | Splinting, casting, surgery, and physical therapy |
| Hospital | Shriners Children's Chicago |
| Role | Patient ambassador/TV spokesman |
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What You'll Learn
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) or brittle bone disease
Alec Cabacungan, the TV spokesman for Shriners Children's Chicago, was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bone disease. OI is a genetic bone disorder characterised by fragile bones that break frequently and easily. Those with OI experience fractures and bowing of the long bones in their arms and legs. Treatment for the disease includes splinting and casting, as well as surgery to insert intramedullary rods that strengthen and stabilise the bones.
Alec has been a patient at Shriners since he was 2 months old and has undergone numerous surgeries and physical therapy. He has been a spokesperson for the hospital for seven years, appearing in commercials to raise awareness and funds for Shriners. Alec's positive attitude and determination have inspired thousands of TV viewers, and he continues to embody the hope and confidence that Shriners Hospitals for Children aims to instil in its patients.
Alec's journey with OI began at a very young age, with multiple fractures and bowing of his long bones. As a result, he required extensive medical care, including splinting and casting to stabilise his bones. As he grew older, Alec underwent surgeries to insert intramedullary rods, a life-changing treatment invented at Shriners over 70 years ago. These rods improved Alec's mobility, reduced fractures, and enabled him to attend school and participate in various activities.
Despite the challenges posed by his condition, Alec has refused to let it hold him back. In addition to his work as a patient ambassador, Alec attends college and actively participates in wheelchair sports. He is also pursuing his dream of becoming a sports broadcaster, with a major in the field at Northwestern University. Alec's resilience and determination to live a full life serve as a testament to his strength and the effectiveness of the treatment he received at Shriners.
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), or brittle bone disease, is a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects the bones, causing them to become fragile and prone to frequent fractures. The disease results from a defect in the body's production of type I collagen, a protein essential for maintaining bone strength and structure. While there are different types and severity levels of OI, all forms of the disease are characterised by increased bone fragility. In severe cases, individuals with OI may experience numerous fractures throughout their lives, even from minor traumas or with no apparent cause.
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Advanced treatments
Alec Cabacungan, the patient ambassador and spokesman for Shriners Children's Chicago, was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) or brittle bone disease. He has been receiving treatment at the hospital since he was 2 months old and has undergone numerous surgeries and physical therapy.
Shriners Hospitals for Children has helped Alec make amazing progress through advanced treatments. One such treatment is the insertion of intramedullary rods, invented at Shriners over 70 years ago, which strengthen and stabilize the bones, reducing the frequency of fractures. This treatment has allowed Alec to move around more easily and engage in activities outside of his home, such as attending school.
In addition to these advanced treatments, Alec has also benefited from the comprehensive care provided by Shriners. This includes splinting and casting when he was younger to support and protect his fragile bones. The hospital has also provided him with the necessary equipment, such as a wheelchair, to participate in sports and lead an active life.
Alec's journey with Shriners Hospitals for Children has been life-changing. Through their advanced treatments and dedicated care, he has been able to pursue his dreams and passions. Today, Alec is a television spokesperson and a budding sports broadcaster, advocating for Shriners and raising awareness for children with rare diseases. He embodies the hope and confidence that Shriners Hospitals for Children aims to instill in all its patients.
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Wheelchair sports
Alec Cabacungan, the TV spokesman for Shriners Children's Hospital in Chicago, was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) or brittle bone disease. He has been part of the Shriners family since he was 2 months old and has undergone numerous surgeries and physical therapy. Cabacungan has appeared in commercials to raise awareness and funds for the hospital, which has helped him in "every aspect of his life". He has also taken a leave of absence from Northwestern University, where he majors in sports broadcasting, to focus on his post-surgery physical therapy.
Sports wheelchairs are designed to help individuals with restricted mobility stay active and compete in athletic competitions. These wheelchairs are often made of ultra-light materials, which aid in straight-line speed and can feature a negative camber for improved agility. Sports wheelchairs come in various shapes and sizes and can be customised for different sports, such as basketball, tennis, skiing, racing, and more. They are designed to provide enhanced speed, manoeuvrability, and durability, with some models specialising in agility and speed.
There are also all-terrain sports wheelchairs designed for environments that traditional wheelchairs cannot traverse, such as sandy beaches, rocky trails, and deep snow. These wheelchairs often have detachable parts and do not fold. Sports wheelchairs can be purchased or custom-built from companies like 1800wheelchair.com and PER4MAX, with the latter specialising in custom-built sports wheelchairs for basketball, tennis, CrossFit, and track and field.
Sports wheelchairs are an excellent way for individuals with disabilities or restricted mobility to stay active and competitive. They provide the necessary features and functionality to enable individuals to participate and excel in a wide range of sports.
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Television appearances
Alec Cabacungan, born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) or brittle bone disease, has been a patient at Shriners Children's Chicago since he was two months old. He has undergone multiple surgeries and physical therapy throughout his life. Cabacungan has served as a patient ambassador and spokesman for Shriners Children's Chicago, appearing in a series of commercials over the past seven years to raise funds for the hospital.
Cabacungan's television appearances include starring in commercials for Shriners Children's Chicago, advocating for the hospital and raising awareness for osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) or brittle bone disease. He has been the face of Shriners Hospitals for Children's fundraising campaigns, such as the "Alec's Journey" initiative, where people are encouraged to donate to support children like Alec and fund specialized care.
In addition to his work with Shriners, Cabacungan has also pursued a career in sports broadcasting. He is currently majoring in this field at Northwestern University. His dream is to become a sports broadcaster, and his determination and infectious smile have endeared him to thousands of television viewers.
Through his appearances, Cabacungan aims to challenge perceptions about people with disabilities and inspire others. He wants people to realize that those with disabilities are capable of achieving great things. His message resonates with individuals who have faced similar challenges and provides hope to children and families facing rare diseases.
Cabacungan's journey and television presence have helped raise awareness and funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children, allowing them to continue their work in supporting children with various health conditions.
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College life
At the age of 19, Alec embarked on his college journey at Northwestern University, where he is majoring in sports broadcasting. Unfortunately, due to the severity of his condition, Alec had to take a leave of absence from his studies to focus on his health. Alec underwent intense post-surgery physical therapy, which required a significant amount of time and dedication. The treatment aimed to strengthen his bones and reduce the frequency of fractures, ultimately improving his quality of life.
Alec's determination and positive attitude have been instrumental in his journey. He embodies the hope and confidence that Shriners Hospitals for Children stands for, as he has been a patient there since he was two months old. Through advanced treatments, he has made remarkable progress and is now able to participate in wheelchair sports and even appear on television.
Alec's fighting spirit is evident in his pursuit of a career in sports broadcasting. He has been a patient ambassador and spokesman for Shriners Children's Chicago, advocating for the hospital and raising awareness about his rare disease. Through a series of commercials, Alec has asked people to donate generously to the hospital system, hoping to give back to the institution that has helped him immensely.
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Frequently asked questions
Alec Cabacungan has osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), or brittle bone disease, a genetic bone disorder characterized by fragile bones that can frequently and easily break.
Alec dreams of becoming a sports broadcaster and is majoring in sports broadcasting at Northwestern University.
Alec has been part of the Shriners family since he was 2 months old and has received advanced treatments and surgeries to manage his condition. He has also undergone physical therapy at the Oak Park Avenue hospital center.
Alec has been a patient ambassador and spokesman for Shriners Children's Chicago, appearing in commercials to raise awareness and funds for the hospital. He wants to give hope to kids like him and show that people with disabilities can do great things.
Alec has required numerous surgeries and extensive physical therapy throughout his life. He also had to take a leave of absence from university to focus on his post-surgery rehabilitation. Despite the challenges, Alec has made amazing progress and now plays wheelchair sports and attends college.
