RADY ROCKSTAR

Every year, a current or former Rady Children’s Hospital patient is selected to be the Dance Marathon at SDSU Leadership Team’s “Rady Rockstar.” The Rady Rockstar helps us out with all kinds of fun activities including picking one of the themes for our event, attending some Leadership Team meetings and DM at SDSU special events, and, the most important task of all, choosing the ice cream flavor when we all hang out. This very special kiddo is an integral part of our DM at SDSU family, and getting to know them is many Leadership Team members' favorite part of being on the planning side of the event.

2022-2023 rady rockstar - meet Kaelin!

Name: Kaelin

Age: 12

Diagnosis: Eczema

Family: Megan & Jay (parents), and Sydney (big sister)

Interests: Baseball, basketball, being active, hip hop

We are so excited to welcome Kaelin, his parents, and his siblings as our 2020-2021 Rady Rockstar family!

Kaelin is a fun-loving and active boy who loves sports, especially basketball -- a game he wasn't able to play until recently. Kaelin was born with eczema, and as he grew older, managing his symptoms became a routine. When he turned eight years old, his condition worsened dramatically. At times, he could barely walk or move his arms because his skin had become so hardened in some areas while becoming very weak in others. Kaelin could not play outside or participate in any physical activities. His parents tried everything but despite their efforts nothing seemed to be working until his family found Rady Children's Hospital.

After treating Kaelin's skin with various topical ointments that did not work, he was eventually diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. This referred him to a clinical study to treat his overactive immune system. His skin finally began to improve shortly after his first injection, and after several treatments, his skin is completely healed. Today, Kaelin is doing great and back to doing what he loves -- playing basketball and baseball outdoors. Kaelin and his family extend their deepest gratitude to Rady Children's and the life-changing miracles they make with their world-class care and research.

As our 2022-2023 Rady Rockstar, Kaelin will help us design merchandise, pick themes for our Dance Marathon event, show us how to dance like a kid, and much more! We can't wait for our donors, participants and DM at SDSU community to get to know and love him and his family as much as we do!