Mother of Boy Who Died of Cancer Couldn’t Afford His Headstone

When Kenneth “K.J.” Gross died recently after years of chemotherapy to fight leukemia, his mother, LaSondra ‘San’ Singleton, couldn’t afford a headstone or grave marker. This is heartbreaking and touching all at the same time.

So K.J.’s best friend – 12-year-old Kaleb Klakulak – stepped in to help.

Klakulak is working as many different jobs as he can find, everything from raking leaves to collecting bottles for recycling, in the hopes of raising enough money to by his friend a gravestone.

“I love Ms. San, I was sad she couldn’t afford it,” Kaleb told The Detroit News. “I wanted people to be able to find (K.J.’s grave) when they went to see him.”

Kaleb’s original hope was to raise $2,500 before Christmas, but when word got out about his efforts, he quickly surpassed that amount.

The media attention led to people submitting PayPal donations. Kaleb’s mother, Kirsty Hall, manages the account.

Kaleb’s mother wrote:

WE WANT TO THANK YOU ALL from the very bottom OF OUR HEARTS!!!

The funds have been provided for KJ’s headstone! We thank each and every person who donated and shared this story. We never dreamt it would take off like it did!

“The PayPal will be open for a couple of weeks,” Hall continued. “If you still wish to donate the money will be used to help Kj’s family during this financial and emotional hardship! If not .. that’s totally fine too.”

KJ’s mom had to quit her job to take care of her son. She is a mother of five who also cares for her mother with Alzheimer’s and has admitted that trying to do all of this has made money tight.

Hall added, “We are beyond humbled by the generosity and love over the last few days! Whatever you decide … please keep them in your prayers as they are approaching their first Christmas without KJ.”

When KJ was sick, his friend Caleb would stay with him in the hospital and play video games, a friend until the end.

If you would like to donate to KJ’s headstone fund click here.