Orange Ribbon

We are two students from Hall Middle School. Our names are Stella Bennett and Ashley Weingart. We both found out that we have a passion, which is helping children who have a dangerous cancer called leukemia. Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects your blood and your bones. Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and teens.  

        We came up with the idea of creating bracelets, necklaces, and stickers to sell and raise money for St.Jude. The money we raise will be donated to children who have leukemia. Specifically to the cancer center called St. Jude. St. Jude is the only cancer center in the US that provides cancer treatment for free. We decided we wanted to help kids with leukemia once we heard the inspiring story of Alex Volz. Alex was born on April 21, 2005. He was born with a congenital heart defect and down syndrome. Four hours after Alex was born, he was rushed to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. At the hospital, he was looked after by the nurses for nine long and dreadful days. Alex needed cardiac surgery about a year and a half later. It was a complicated surgery, but luckily the surgery was a success. After the surgery, the Voltz family were happy to be home and living a somewhat normal life, but they weren’t ready for what was about to come. When Alex was 27 months, he started to get horrendous ear aches that wouldn’t go away. Marrissa, Alex’s mom, decided to do some research before going straight to the hospital. She figured out that kids with down syndrome have more of a likely chance of getting leukemia. Scared, Melissa took him to the emergency room. At the emergency room Rick and Melissa, his parents, found out the news they dreaded the most. Alex had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, he was only 27 months! Alex is currently still going through treatment to put the cancer in remission. He is such a brave boy who didn’t deserve to go through what he did having been born with down syndrome and a congenital heart defect, then getting diagnosed with leukemia. Alex Volz is a very bright and happy boy who has faced many challenges. This story is truly inspiring in many ways. Every kid with leukemia has to fight for their lives and go through many crucial procedures, such as chemotherapy. I want to do everything I can help kids like Alex Volz have another chance to live a normal life.
       
          Please donate to help kids like Alex have a second chance to live a normal life. You can also visit our instagram to find out more ways to help: _orangeribbon_. Thank you!