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10-year-old boy with childhood cancer celebrates Halloween at ETCH

Spirit Halloween teamed up with the hospital to raise money and throw an event-filled day for the children.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The hospital can be a scary place for children. Spirit Halloween is trying to ease that fear by partnering with the East Tennessee Children's Hospital to raise money and hold an annual Halloween party for the children. 

10-year-old Caleb Heitman is dressing up as the Hulk this year, a costume he picked out for the ETCH's Halloween party. 

"He's strong, persistent and never gives up... kind of like I'm trying to do during this journey," Heitman said.

Caleb was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia back in May and ETCH has been his second home. Spirit Halloween partnered with the hospital in 2010 to put together the party and has raised more than $400,000. 

"We have kids here that are going through the worst and unimaginable, and then they come out here and that all disappears," Zaineb Saied, a marketing specialist at ETCH, said.

Caleb loves superheroes and has already figured out what his superpower would be. 

"The power to heal anybody from any sickness because everyone should have the chance to see the world and be whatever they want to be in life," he said. 

10News asked Caleb where his strength and bravery come from. 

"One thing I keep with me every day is a Bible verse that my mom told me: Philippians 4:13, 'You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength,'" he said. 

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