We are a team of healthcare professionals who have the privilege of working alongside an incredible nurse, friend, mother, and advocate named Athena. Every day, Athena dedicates her life to caring for others. Today, we are coming together to care for her and her family during the most difficult journey they have ever faced.

Athena is an LPN who is working toward her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse. She was in the middle of RN school when her family's world changed overnight.

Her 16-year-old son Alex was diagnosed with cancer.

Alex's Story

Alex is a bright, kind-hearted young man with a contagious smile, and a great sense of humor. He is the kind of person who brings joy to those around him and has a way of making people smile, even during difficult times.

When Alex began experiencing back pain, everyone assumed it was a pulled muscle from weightlifting. But after several days without improvement, he woke up one morning complaining that his legs hurt and felt as though they were asleep. His family immediately took him to the emergency room, hoping for answers.

A CT scan revealed a mass on Alex's spine, and he was rushed to Children's Mercy Hospital for what doctors initially believed would be emergency neurosurgery.

Then came the devastating news no family could have anticipated.

After further testing, Alex was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).

The mass on his spine was caused by the cancer, and doctors quickly shifted their focus from surgery to aggressive treatment aimed at shrinking the mass and preventing further damage to his spinal cord.

He currently has limited feeling from his mid-abdomen down and no movement in his legs. Doctors have been honest with the family that they do not know if Alex will ever walk again.

Despite this unimaginable diagnosis and uncertainty, Alex continues to face each day with incredible courage, determination, and grace.

He is working relentlessly with therapy, fighting to regain as much independence as possible. Right now, even sitting on the side of a bed requires tremendous effort, but Alex shows up every day willing to do the hard work.

When he is eventually discharged, he will be returning home in a wheelchair and will require ongoing therapy, medical care, and support.

Alex's road to recovery will be long and demanding.

His journey includes:

• An extended hospital stay

• Intensive rehabilitation therapy

• Aggressive chemotherapy treatment

• Long-term maintenance chemotherapy

• Ongoing medical and accessibility needs

In addition to everything else, the family faces another overwhelming challenge. Their current home is not equipped to safely accommodate Alex's needs once he returns home. They will need to secure housing that is wheelchair accessible and can support his care and recovery.

A Family Putting Everything on Hold

Like any mother, Athena has remained by her son's side every step of the way.

While trying to balance work remotely from the hospital, she has had to withdraw from her RN program to focus on Alex's care.

Alex's stepfather has also stepped away from work so he can help care for Alex, advocate for him, and provide the love, encouragement, and humor that have become such an important part of getting through each day.

At home, the family is also navigating the needs of Alex's twin brother and younger brother, who are experiencing the fear, uncertainty, and life changes that come with seeing someone they love face such a devastating diagnosis. While the family's focus is naturally on Alex's treatment and recovery, they are also working hard to maintain stability and support for all of their children during this incredibly difficult time.

The emotional burden has been immense, but the financial burden is growing as well. Lost income, travel expenses, medical costs, accessibility needs, adaptive equipment, and future housing modifications are creating challenges no family should have to face alone.

How You Can Help

As healthcare workers, we spend our careers caring for others. Athena has always been one of the people willing to step up when someone needed help. Now it is our turn to step up for her family.

We are asking for help to ease the financial strain so that Athena, Alex, and their family can focus on treatment, recovery, and spending precious time together.

No donation is too small. Every contribution will help provide stability and support as they navigate the months and years ahead.

If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser and keeping Alex and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

For Alex

Through everything he has endured, Alex continues to inspire everyone around him. He is facing one of life's toughest battles with a strength and maturity far beyond his years.

He is more than a diagnosis. He is a son, a twin brother, a big brother, a friend, and a young man with dreams for his future.

As Alex fights leukemia and works to regain as much independence as possible, his entire family is facing a journey they never expected. Together, we can help ease some of the burdens they carry and remind them they do not have to face this road alone.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, prayers, and support.

With gratitude,

Athena's Work Family & Healthcare Team

#TeamAlex ️