Taste of Lee to benefit Caleb’s Crusade against childhood cancer

FORT MYERS, Fla. – A father is gaining national attention for his work to fight childhood cancer. This upcoming weekend, all proceeds from the WINK News Taste of Lee will benefit Rob Whan’s mission to help other children battling the disease.

“Caleb’s Crusade was founded in memory of my son, Caleb, who we lost to leukemia in 2008. He was just 4 years old,” said Whan.

Since then, Whan and his wife Monique have helped other families in their fight against childhood cancer.

“It blows my mind that there’s still diagnosis in childhood cancer out there, that there’s no hopeful treatment. It’s basically a death sentence, this is unacceptable,” said Whan.

In addition to raising awareness, Whan has gone to Capitol Hill to request federal funding for research.

On Wednesday, he’ll be in Washington D.C. to receive the Abbey Award, for speaking on behalf of patients, especially children, who might not otherwise be heard.

“It’s the voice that Caleb never had. I’m able to go tell his story, persuade lawmakers and get things done. This is very rewarding knowing that were making opportunities for patients in the future to have more treatment is what it’s all about,” said Whan.

Whan says they’re making great strides but there’s still a lot of work to be done.

“We have a family that we’re helping in treatment that’s in Pittsburgh and they have their third kid that’s fighting cancer and they’ve already lost two. So this is something happening in our community and this family could use your support.”

The WINK News Taste of Lee begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Centennial Park in Fort Myers. Admission is $5.

Whan adds they’re looking for volunteers for this weekend, visit calebscrusade.org to learn more.