Help Alexa Overcome Lymphoma Relapse

Hi, my name is Alexa Covert. I was raised in Gainesville and have lived here most of my life. Many of you know me from the downtown service industry, where I’ve worked for over six years—bartending for nearly four. I’ve always loved being part of the community through performing in shows, hosting karaoke, and organizing events that bring people together.

In August 2023, I was diagnosed with Stage IIB Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After experiencing symptoms for about seven months, it was my friends who pushed me to go to the ER. What followed was an unexpected three-week hospital stay with my mom by my side. During that time, I underwent biopsies, had a femoral line placed, and received my first inpatient chemotherapy treatment.

The rest of my treatments were outpatient. I continued working full-time five days a week while living alone and going through treatment. My mom came with me to every appointment—her support got me through one of the hardest chapters of my life. I completed treatment in January 2024 and had my port removed. However, due to financial constraints, I wasn’t able to follow through with the recommended routine scans to monitor for recurrence.

In January 2025, I started feeling new symptoms but delayed returning to the doctor out of fear—both of the financial burden and the emotional toll treatment had taken the first time. Unfortunately, my symptoms worsened dramatically in May, and by June, a PET scan and biopsy confirmed that the Lymphoma had returned. However, I have a rarer form of Lymphoma called B-cell Lymphoma. 

This time, the physical pain has been more severe, and I’ve had to leave one of my two jobs at the time to prioritize my health. That decision was incredibly difficult, knowing it would limit my income while new medical bills were already stacking up.

There is a silver lining: because this is a relapse, the treatment process has moved more quickly, and I’ve already begun immunotherapy—which I’m tolerating well so far. The current plan is to continue treatment for four months, followed by a stem cell transplant and chemotherapy. However, due to the nature of this cancer, everything is more up in the air this time, so changes to my treatment plan might happen. My hope is not just remission, but a cure. I also found a new home, supportive employer and team at Kin Cocktail Bar & Lounge - please come visit me there.

I am doing everything I can to stay strong and positive—but the financial strain of this journey has become overwhelming. I’m reaching out for support to help with medical costs and basic living expenses while I focus on healing.

If you’re able to contribute—whether it’s through a donation, sharing this page, or sending words of encouragement—it would mean the world to me. Your support allows me to focus on getting better without the constant weight of financial worry.

Thank you for reading my story and for walking this path with me.

—Alexa