Special to the Tribune

Bright and early Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Fountain Place building in downtown Dallas, Haley Helmberger and Kaleb Hurst, both 16-year-old juniors at Melissa High School, will be taking the Big D Climb challenge, racing up 52 flights of stairs in order to help fight blood cancers.

For the past few years Kaleb wanted to do this race, so this year he decided it was the right time and encouraged Haley to join him in this effort. Knowing a well-known community member that was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, these two sixteen year olds both decided to do the race in honor of Julie Anderson of Melissa. Haley also chose to climb in honor of a wonderful man and family friend, Dwight Munger of Anna, while Kaleb chose his Grandpa Charles as his other honoree.

The goal is lofty but achievable with help and support from the surrounding community. Haley and Kaleb would greatly appreciate you joining their team and/or making a donation on behalf of the 957,902 Americans currently battling leukemia, lymphoma, hodgkins disease or myeloma. Haley and Kaleb would be grateful for any donation no matter how big or small, so if you feel compelled to help them with their cause you can visit their Web sites, read about the event and make a donation. Or, if you prefer, you can make a donation via mail to 15 Brookhollow Circle, Melissa, Tx 75454. Please make checks payable to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Haley and Kaleb thank all those who have already donated, and those who will be donating. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Haley’s website: NTX.BigDClimb.LLSevent.org/HaleyH13

Kaleb’s website: NTX.BigDClimb.LLSevent.org/Kaleb627