The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation

Today our beautiful and sweet Alexa, would have celebrated her 25th birthday. To honor her heavenly birthday, Ken, Brynn, and I are humbled to offer a matching donation of up to $25,000 to support Nik’s Wish, a nationally recognized organization that grants wishes to young adults ages 18–24 who are battling cancer.

Shortly after Alexa’s passing, we were blessed by the extraordinary generosity of family, friends, and supporters, who helped us raise more than $26,000 for Nik’s Wish and the young adults it serves.

Today, as we celebrate Alexa’s life and the love she continues to inspire, our hope is to help grant many more wishes through Nik’s Wish.

During her three-year battle with cancer, Alexa experienced firsthand the uncertainty, profound suffering, and life-altering challenges that accompany a terminal diagnosis. While most young adults are pursuing their dreams, building their futures, and enjoying time with family and friends, these young men and women are fighting for their lives.

Whether your family has faced similar challenges or has been fortunate not to, please join us in celebrating Alexa’s life and legacy through this deserving cause. Every contribution will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $25,000.

Together, we can create meaningful moments and lasting memories for young adults facing cancer and their loved ones who walk beside them through the unimaginable.

Alexa Frances Kelter

June 24, 2001 – October 23, 2023 ❤️️

Forever 22

”It is through gratitude that we are saved.”

Thank you for all the love and support you've shown to our precious Alexa and to our family. We truly appreciate the beautiful care that has sustained us these last few weeks. Many of our family and friends have asked if they could make a donation to a charity in Alexa's honor which is incredibly kind and generous. We would be so touched if you would consider donating to The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation.

As you all know, Alexa was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer just 3 months after her 19th birthday. She suffered through three years of surgeries, endless chemos, and radiation treatments and had asked if it were possible to have a wish granted. Unfortunately, wishes granted by Make a Wish or other wish organizations only do wishes for kids younger than 18 years old. Alexa felt strongly that there was a great need for those 18-24 young adults who were battling cancer to have a wish as they endure debilitating treatments and to create happy and cherished memories with their loved ones. I can only imagine the wish Alexa would have requested...maybe a meetup with Taylor Swift if that were possible? Sadly, Alexa did not get a wish granted before she passed away but I know in my heart that she would be so happy that she played a part in creating wishes for others like her. How extraordinary if these Cancer Warriors got a chance to experience something so meaningful and well deserved.

We feel very sentimental to The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation, as it was founded by a mother who lost her son Nik to Synovial Sarcoma, the same cancer Alexa had. He was diagnosed shortly before his 18th birthday which allowed him to experience an incredible wish but when he met other young adult cancer fighters who were too old, he wanted to do something about it. He asked his mother, Kelli, the day before he passed, to do all she could to make wishes possible for 18-24 year old cancer patients. To this day, The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation has granted over 300 wishes. Please join us and consider donating to make wishes come true for these young adults. We welcome you to share this with anyone you think might like to support this cause.

No doubt Alexa will be smiling in heaven...Forever 22.

Alexa's Video of Life: https://starksfuneral.com/obituary/3463-2au22k4hxv

The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation: https://www.nikswish.org

Donations raised benefit:

The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation

Registered nonprofit

Rockford, IL

EIN: 460679386

CNN Heroes 2023

Nik Ritschel was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer just before he turned 18. During this difficult time, Nik’s spirits were lifted by the wish he was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. But when Nik met other young adult cancer fighters who were too old for Make-a-Wish, he wanted to do something. The night before Nik passed, he asked his mom, Kelli, to help these young adults get their wishes. Kelli started Nik’s Wish after his death to honor her son’s last wish. Kelli has since helped grant more than 300 wishes to young adults nationwide aged 18 to 24.

Read about Kelli on CNN.com

Watch CNN Hero Kelli Ritschel Boehle's video here.