Alex's Athlete of the Month


	Alex's Athlete Of The Month
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Alex is an 8 year old 2nd grader from Birmingham, Alabama. He is energetic and friendly, affectionate and caring. He is a perfectionist with a

magnetic personality. Alex loves to dance and is a national dance champion! He also likes to play video games and enjoys Star Wars and collecting action figures.

In July 2007,while at a national dance competition, Alex’s parents found a knot on his back. It was bluish in color so they assumed it was a bruise. Three weeks later it was still there so his parents took him to see the doctor, who said it was most likely nothing to worry about, and just to watch it and bring him back if it changed. In October, it began to grow really fast. In December, he finally got in to see a surgeon who still thought this was nothing serious. On January 7th the lump was removed. On January 14, 2008 Alex was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. This is a form of childhood cancer that causes solid tumors to grow in the bones or the soft tissue in the body. It is rare for it to present in the soft tissue first, but not unheard of. No one knows what causes Ewing’s. Alex had more surgery to excise more tissue from his back to be sure no more tumors or pieces of the tumor were left behind. All margins were clear, meaning no more cancerous tissue was found. Alex has always been a happy, healthy child, and throughout all the tests no evidence of any further cancer was found. All of the tests performed were normal. Before treatments started Alex seemed extremely healthy and never had any pain or effects from the tumor. Alex is presently sailing through a 30 week course of chemotherapy and handling it all with more fortitude and faith than anyone ever knew was possible. He is making lots of friends at the hospital, and keeping up with dance and schoolwork well. He is still a straight A student and even competed with his dance team at a competition in April! Alex’s wish is that one day someone will find a cure for cancer that has no side effects, so that patients will not have to miss out on so much of their lives and the things they enjoy. He keeps a positive attitude no matter what, and knows that when this part of his life’s journey is over he will be better and stronger than ever before!

Check back soon to read a note from Alex's dance teacher, Beverly Simpson-Cunningham of
Bevery Dance Unlimited in Alabama www.BeverlysDance.com

Thank you so much for participating with the interview. You have shown great courage and your story is helping

to inspire so many people. It is clear to me how much you love dance and I do know that feeling so very well. I started lessons at

the age of 5 and danced for 20 years. 10 of those years I taught classes and private lessons to the advanced dancers. It was great

fun and I do miss it a lot! You hang in there.... take care..... and KEEP DANCING!............. Patricia Lee, Founder

I have missed a lot of practices, and I didn’t get to learn a solo or a duet this year. I had to stop taking all my

Tell us about the support of your dance family (teachers and others in your class)?

They all support me a lot. My parents stay the night with me every night at the hospital.

I was afraid of my surgery the most. There was nothing I could really do, so I just did it.

If you are religious, did your faith or religion help you through the tough times and if so, how?

They were surprised. I got to show them my scars. They made me cards and prayed for me.

They help me remember to use my hand sanitizer while I am at school. Two boys in second grade shaved their heads when I lost my hair.

Will you be participating in the dance recital this year May 17th at Trussville HS?

I don’t know. It depends on how I feel, but I really want to. I’m not supposed to be in the hospital that weekend.

I hope that someone will find a cure for cancer besides chemotherapy. I want to have a big, humongous party when I am finished with chemo.

I got to show the kids in my class my bone scan. The hospital is boring , but I can bring some of my toys and the nurses will play with me.

Alex graduated from Hoover High School in May 2007 and is presently playing soccer for the University of West Florida. She has played soccer since the age of 5 and has always been in the starting 11 for her teams. Played for the Lady Bucs HS Varsity Soccer Team and was the backup Goal Keeper. Her senior year she was named Captain and also won MVP and the Booster Club Athletic Scholarship. Alex is a 3 time Birmingham News All State and All Metro Soccer Honors Player. This past fall she played for the newly formed Birmingham United Soccer Club Lady Jets '89 with Coach John Markey. Alex has participated with ODP (Olympic Development Program) in past years and was on the Alabama State ODP team. She has her Youth Module Level Coaching License and enjoys coaching when time permits. She has received many awards during her soccer career but is most proud of an award she received in 2005 as a sophomore at Hoover. She was awarded the first annual Caitlin Sweeny-McDaniel Award for Courage. She received this award because of her relentless ability to continue pressing forward, giving even beyond her best, staying on top of her game, even though her Mother was diagnosed with Stage 3C Breast Cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. At the time, Alex normally played defense but she scored a goal off of a corner kick when briefly pushed up as center mid during a game, the night after her Mother had surgery. She counts that as one of her most memorable moments! She had dedicated that game to her Mom and was determined to make it meaningful. She was a true inspiration to her teammates. Alex loves ALL sports and it is not unusual to find her curled up by the radio listening to a football game when it is not being aired on TV. She also enjoys playing her guitar, writing music, and singing in Church. She has a 13 year old brother who plays guitar, drums, golf and basketball. She enjoyed cheering for his basketball team when they made it to the Final Four, winning second place. Alex's Mother is Patricia Lee, Founder-President of 3 different programs, Athletes Kickin' Cancer, www.SoccerSisters.net and www.MyAlabama.org and her Father is Dr. Steve Avram of Blount County, Alabama.