When Kale Corbett was 10 he was in a fight for his life. Diagnosed with a rare form of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, doctors gave him only a 15% chance of survival. Corbett persevered through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and a near-miraculous bone marrow transplant to not only survive, but thrive. Today, he’s a high school senior with a weighted 4.3 GPA and a three-sport athlete at Tallulah Falls School. He’s also The SagerStrong Foundation’s newest Hometown Hero.
Corbett was nominated for the award by Camp Sunshine – a camp for pediatric cancer patients. As Hometown Hero, he receives a $2500 scholarship made possible through a generous donation by Rand Refrigeration. He also will be honored next August at the 2021 SagerStrong Stadium Fun Run at Truist Park and a Braves game in September 2021. Those events were delayed this year due to the pandemic.
An indomitable spirit and love of sports
The SagerStrong Foundation launched its Hometown Hero Award program in 2019. The inaugural recipient was Peyton White of Woodstock. The award honors a pediatric leukemia patient who embodies perseverance, strength, and courage. The foundation and program were created in memory of veteran sportscaster Craig Sager who lost his own battle with leukemia in 2016.
“We are continually inspired by the uplifting stories that the Foundation receives for the annual Hometown Hero Award Program,” says SagerStrong Foundation President Stacy Sager. “There was a great group of applicants this year – so hard to choose just one.”
Sager says it was Corbett’s “never say never” attitude and love of sports that won the hearts of foundation members and “reminded us so much of Craig and his passion to do what he loved, even while in his fight.”
“Helping others to achieve their dreams in the face of adversity and challenges, like those that Kale faced daily, is a wonderful way we can help make a difference,” says Rand Refrigeration’s Randi Davis Minor.
The now 19-year-old Corbett credits a can-do attitude and positivity with helping him overcome challenges.
“The worst thing you can do for yourself is to tell yourself you can’t do something,” he says. “Anything is possible when you put your mind to it. After that, I would say having a positive attitude is key. I know from personal experience that doing so will help you in many ways.”
To read more about Kale Corbett’s amazing story, click here. For more information about SagerStrong Foundation and the Hometown Hero Award, visit https://sagerstrongfoundation.org.
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