At just 14, Jake Alexander Kleppen has earned the title of a “victorious warrior,” a name he wears proudly after facing cancer not once, but twice. His journey began subtly, with nothing more than swelling in his eye, initially diagnosed as hypertropia when he was eight years old.
Hypertropia causes one eye to turn upward, but Jake’s pediatrician sensed something more serious. She promptly sent him to the emergency room, where a startling discovery changed everything.
Jake was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive soft tissue cancer, appearing in his eye rather than the typical limbs or chest. His mother, Marisel Jarrin Kleppen, recalls the shock of leaving the hospital with a cancer diagnosis she never imagined.
By the time of diagnosis, Jake’s cancer was already stage three, a critical point where delays could have been fatal. The family’s quick action meant he had a fighting chance, thanks to the specialized pediatric team at Holtz Children’s Hospital.
In September 2019, Jake began a grueling 11-month treatment regimen, combining chemotherapy with 31 rounds of highly precise proton beam radiation. The therapy saved his life but impacted the symmetry of his face, his vision, teeth, and even cognition, yet Jake faced each challenge with unwavering determination.
Eventually, Jake rang the bell at Holtz Children’s Hospital, celebrating a hard-earned victory over cancer. Nearly five years of remission allowed him to enjoy childhood milestones, school, and summer adventures with a sense of freedom and relief.
However, in late 2024, after attending a week at Civil Air Patrol camp, Jake felt unwell and awoke drenched in sweat. Marisel immediately knew something was wrong and rushed him to the hospital, fearing the worst.
In December, doctors diagnosed Jake with leukemia, a second and unrelated cancer caused by his previous treatments. His abnormal white blood cells crowded out the healthy ones, making it difficult for his body to fight infections, stop bleeding, or carry oxygen.
Jake returned to Holtz Children’s Hospital, ready to fight cancer a second time under the guidance of Dr. David Crawford, director of pediatric stem cell transplantation. The leukemia treatment involved chemotherapy and the targeted immunotherapy drug blinatumomab, designed to harness Jake’s immune system against the cancer cells.
As Jake responded to treatment, the next challenge arose: finding a bone marrow donor. Against all odds, his brother Justin proved to be a perfect match, offering the ultimate gift of life.
Justin describes the moment he learned he could be Jake’s donor as a mixture of excitement and determination. “I couldn’t believe he had to go through this again, but being a donor means I can help him fight,” he said, anticipating a stronger bond forged through this life-saving act.
On May 12, 2025, Jake underwent his bone marrow transplant, following months of preparation including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and full-body radiation. The procedure was a culmination of hope, science, and brotherly love, designed to rebuild his immune system from scratch.
For Jake, having Justin as his donor solidified a new kind of connection. “We’re really blood bonded now,” he said, expressing gratitude and relief as he embarked on the final stages of recovery.
Within six weeks, Jake’s medical team expects he’ll be able to leave the hospital, and within a year, they anticipate a full recovery with a fully functional immune system derived from his brother. The family is cautiously optimistic, buoyed by the expertise and dedication of the pediatric oncology team.
Dr. Crawford highlights the advanced pediatric cancer care at Holtz Children’s Hospital, noting that Jake’s treatments exemplify the possibilities of modern medicine. “With cutting-edge options and compassionate care, children like Jake can survive and thrive after multiple cancers,” he said.
Through it all, Jake remains a beacon of hope, sharing his experience and advice with other children facing similar struggles. “Always see the good in everything,” he says, encouraging others to find the silver lining, even in the darkest moments.
His story reflects resilience, familial love, and the life-saving impact of specialized pediatric oncology care. Jake’s journey is a testament to courage in the face of adversity, the power of medical innovation, and the extraordinary bond between brothers.
From a subtle swelling in his eye to the triumph of remission twice over, Jake’s life demonstrates the profound difference that early detection, expert care, and unwavering support can make. Each step of his journey showcases determination, hope, and the capacity of young patients to endure and overcome unimaginable challenges.
The Kleppen family’s experience underscores the human side of medicine, where science, empathy, and family unite to produce miracles. Jake’s life now shines as an example of perseverance, the strength of sibling bonds, and the possibilities within pediatric oncology.
Even after facing the unimaginable, Jake maintains optimism and a sense of purpose, advocating for resilience and positivity. His story inspires both families and medical professionals to believe in the power of persistence and love in the fight against cancer.
Jake Alexander Kleppen’s journey continues to inspire, showing that courage, cutting-edge medicine, and a brother’s unwavering support can create outcomes that once seemed impossible. His life is a testament to the enduring strength of hope and the transformative power of family.