At just six years old, Kasen’s world changed forever. On June 20, 2024, he was diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia—a diagnosis no child, and no family, should ever have to face. In the year since, Kasen has shown a strength and resilience that defies his age.
He has endured:
At one point, Kasen developed a life-threatening complication from a “safer” chemotherapy drug. He was placed on a medication that cost $50,000 per dose—administered four times a day for 21 days. That’s $4.2 million for one life-saving treatment.
But beyond the numbers is a little boy who carries hand sanitizer and a lovey everywhere he goes. Who pauses before eating to make sure his hands are clean enough. Who quietly asks if there’s nausea medicine before leaving the house. Who thinks twice before touching a playground slide.
This is childhood cancer. It’s not just about treatments and hospital stays—it’s about stolen innocence, constant worry, and the unimaginable weight placed on the smallest shoulders. And yet, Kasen continues to show up with courage, light, and hope.
This year, as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Richmond Cattle Baron’s Ball, we are honored to share Kasen’s story as our Mission Honoree. His journey is a powerful reminder of why we gather, why we give, and why we fight—for safer treatments, better research, and a future where no child has to be this strong.
The American Cancer Society is the leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. We are the only organization improving the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
