Neighbor News
Courage in Motion: 8-year-old Inspires Blood Drive After Transfusions
After 17 transfusions as a baby, 8-year-old Caleb Koenig is thriving — and his family is giving back with a community blood drive.
ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Caleb Koenig isn’t your average eight-year-old. Fearless and full of life, Caleb throws himself into his favorite things — baseball, Taekwondo, and cheering on Lewis University Athletics, where his father coaches women’s soccer. But behind his bright smile and boundless energy lies a remarkable story of resilience.
Caleb was born with TAR Syndrome — short for Thrombocytopenia-Absent Radius — a rare genetic disorder marked by extremely low platelet counts and the absence of the radius bone in both forearms. The condition puts children at high risk for internal bleeding and brain bleeds, which can lead to serious neurological and developmental complications.
Despite these challenges, Caleb hasn’t let TAR slow him down.
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“He’s learned to do everything a typical kid his age can do — just in his own unique way,” his father says proudly.
Caleb’s first 15 months were marked by uncertainty and urgent care — he received 17 platelet transfusions to prevent life-threatening bleeding.
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“We are fortunate Caleb had quick access to transfusions when he was a baby — it got him through some frightening times,” his father says. “Those donations were a blessing. They saved our son’s life.”
Now, the Koenig family is paying it forward.
In partnership with the Lewis University Women’s Soccer Team and Vitalant, the family is hosting a community blood drive to help ensure other children receive the same lifesaving support Caleb did. The event will be held on Sunday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the University Dining Room at Lewis University, One University Parkway, Romeoville, IL.
“Because of generous donors — people we’ve never even met — Caleb is now a thriving, active 8-year-old,” his father says. “This blood drive is our way of saying thank you and helping the next child who needs that same gift.”
The Koenig family and Lewis Athletics invite the community to join them in this special event to replenish the local blood supply and celebrate the strength of kids like Caleb.
To schedule a donation, call Vitalant at 877.258.4825 or visit vitalant.org and use group code: 10054226.
