Many have wondered what happened to Alec Cabacungan, patient ambassador for Shriners Children’s Hospital Network.
Unfortunately, the positive young man with a rare, incurable genetic bone disorder had an accident while attending Northwestern University that kept him away from the public eye for several months.
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Let’s learn more about Alec, the influential spokesperson for Shriners Children’s Hospital Network, and what has happened to him.
Alec’s Journey From a Shriners Hospital Patient to Ambassador
A self-described “sports nut,” Alec became a patient of Shriners Hospital at only two months old.
His first fundraising commercial appearance was in 2014 at just twelve years old.
Alec was born with a rare, incurable genetic bone disorder, Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), commonly known as “brittle bone disease.”
This condition causes bones that break frequently and easily due to abnormal collagen formation.
Born with a severe form of OI, Alec’s long-time physician, Dr. Peter Smith, recounts that Alec, “was born with fractures and bowing of the long bones of his arms and legs.”
Alec has had over 60 broken bones and countless surgeries, including procedures to insert intramedullary rods, an invention by Shriners Hospitals of over 70 years ago, to make bones stronger and reduce breakage.
Thanks to this procedure, children like Alec can move around, leave home, and go to school with less fear of injury.
Alec attended Abraham Lincoln Elementary and Oak Park River Forest High School. And in sixth grade, he played wheelchair basketball and softball.
After high school, he enrolled at Northwestern University. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Broadcasting Journalism in 2024.
Alec even lived in the dorms, and he drove a modified van while attending college.
What Happened to Alec from Shriners Hospital?
Although Alec has always been a dedicated supporter of Shriners Hospitals, he disappeared from the public eye long enough for his followers to wonder what happened to him.
His absence was so rare that some even wondered if he had passed away.
In November of 2021, Alec’s wheelchair flipped over as he attempted to cross a snowy sidewalk while attending classes at Northwestern University.
The accident left Alec with a broken left shoulder, right knee, and left hip.
Alec had to undergo surgeries and post-surgery physical therapy at Oak Park Avenue Hospital Center.
This led Alec to take a leave of absence from his studies at the university, which set him back both physically and academically.
Alec admits,
“I was on top of the world last November. And then the accident happened, and it changed the trajectory of the next four months. There are definitely times when I get down on myself.”
However, in February of 2022, Alec took to Instagram to let his followers know that he was back doing what he loves.
Of his fighting spirit, Alec says, “I figure out ways I can live my life very happily…I’ll never be down for more than ten seconds.”
Sources
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZsnDQqOg8x/?hl=en&img_index=1
https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/news-and-media/patient-stories/2024/11/alecs-osteogenesis-imperfecta-journey#:~:text=He%20began%20receiving%20care%20at,on%20television%20and%20attends%20college.
https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/news-and-media/patient-stories/2024/11/alecs-osteogenesis-imperfecta-journey#:~:text=He%20began%20receiving%20care%20at,on%20television%20and%20attends%20college.
https://www.newsweek.com/what-brittle-bone-disease-alec-cabacungan-1576147
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alec-cabacungan-spokesperson-for-shriners-hospitals-for-children
https://chicago.suntimes.com/doing-well/2022/3/4/22957525/alec-cabacungan-shriners-childrens-chicago-hospital-brittle-bone-disease
