Boy with leukemia invites toy donations for Mary Bridge Children's Hospital

Four-year-old Caleb Thorsteinson, of Lake Tapps, was diagnosed with leukemia at age 1. In an effort to collect toys for other kids hospitalized at Mary Bridge Children
Contributed
Four-year-old Caleb Thorsteinson, of Lake Tapps, was diagnosed with leukemia at age 1. In an effort to collect toys for other kids hospitalized at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma, he is hosting a toy drive at Hector's in Kirkland on Dec. 6.

By DANIEL NASH
Kirkland Reporter Reporter
November 29, 2011 · Updated 4:09 PM 

When Caleb Thorsteinson was diagnosed with leukemia at age 1, family friends rallied to raise money to pay what insurance could not.

Myriad fund raisers were organized. A stair climb — Climbing for Caleb — at the Bank of America building brought in 300 participants and raised $10,000.

Last year, Caleb, now 4 years old, decided he wanted to collect toys for other kids hospitalized at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, where he went for chemotherapy treatments every month for three years.

"A truckload" of toys were collected at Captain Jack's, Tacoma Cascade Christian School, JMI Exteriors in Puyallup and the hospital itself, family friend Lori Longthorne said.

"This year Caleb said one truckload isn't enough," she said.

Another toy drive will be held from 4-7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Hector's, 112 Lake St. S. in Kirkland.

Hector's owner Stuart Mcleod and manager, Thomas Dorso, invite the public to drop off toys at the restaurant.

"I have been a customer of Hector's for the past 17 years and they have always been wonderful to give back to the community," said Longthorne.

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital suggests the following new or unwrapped toys: New DVD's, Hot Wheels, Barbies, Nerf Toys, Lego sets, Playdoh, teen crafts, bubbles (3-5 oz), batteries, gift cards and more.

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