Show Love for Alexander in His Time of Need

When I was much younger chasing my dreams and worried about me and my future, I asked Alexander one day where he was. He told me he had been at the old lady's house at the end of the road - the old lady I had met as a child, the lonely old widow I didn't even know. When I asked why, "to brighten her day." came the response.

Dear friends and family of Alexander, Rita, Nate and Nadia, this is my brother and as you all read that you couldn't help but nod your heads with recognition that this is the Al that you all know. From the 5th grade students who know him as "Mr. Dorsch" to the swimmers in the pools across Pennsylvania who know him as "Coach Al", from the rugby players in the Pittsburgh Harlequins who know him as "Crazy Al" to the summer travelers across the great country of ours who may have never even caught his name. We have all benefited from his giving heart and kind gestures.

As we know, in February Alexander was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer metastatic to his bones and liver. He began his battle with three months of chemotherapy and radiation but still focused outside of himself. He decided to plant grapes, trees and put in a backyard pond to create a beautiful yet private backyard for his family. Likewise, he went back to school dressed as George Washington, to give a historically correct feast for his fifth graders.

Most of us rely on prayer, hope and love. We visit, we give words of encouragement, we help where he needs it. Still, we ask, "How can I help?", "what can I do?". I know we all want to have the chance to tell him thank you for all the ways you make this world a better place, one act of love at a time.

Time continues to pass and while he continues to fight, this is a formidable opponent. His cancer has not responded to the chemotherapy but instead is worsening. Of course, he doesn't want us to treat him any differently and I for one will not. I do however want to show my appreciation and give in a way that I know how to give. We have set up this GoFundMe account for a way to tell him thank you. I know this way isn't for everyone, but this is my way, and it seems as though it might be the way of some others as well. Thank you, Alexander, for making this world a better place to live one act of love at a time.

Veronica Dorsch Vezzani

(his older sister)