Alexis was an incredibly sweet 4-year-old who battled DIPG, an inoperable and fast-growing form of brain cancer, for almost three years. From the day she was born, Alexis’ personality sparkled brighter than any twinkling star, and she had a way of wrapping anyone around her finger with just a single look from her crystal-clear blue eyes. She was articulate, intuitive, and always on the go. She had a fearlessness about her, always climbing, sliding, and jumping, all with the ease of any other child. She loved stuffed animals, and she had a fierce passion for art projects, especially stickers, markers, play-dough, crayons, clay, paints, and anything else that she could leave her mark with.

Alexis was 2-years-old when she was diagnosed with DIPG in April 2008. She never complained about her illness and willingly took all of the medicines and supplements given to her during the five Phase 1 clinical trials she participated in. She endured countless pokes and prods during treatment, but yet was often smiling and found running through the hospital halls giggling, blowing bubbles or painting a picture in the doctor's office, or throwing pennies with glee into a nearby fountain. With each trip to the hospital and each blood draw, a new stuffed animal would find its way home with Alexis. Her parents tried at every juncture to ensure that normalcy and fun were part of every hospital and doctor visit. After each radiation session, Alexis and her family would routinely make their way to the gumball machine in the parking garage, not for gum to chew, but for collecting and for tossing over railings, down stairs, wherever they could. Alexis truly enjoyed this simple act, even when it meant that she almost took someone's head off with an errant throw. Her smile made it worth it for her parents.

Alexis battled valiantly for 33 months before passing away on January 14, 2011, just a little over two weeks shy of her fifth birthday. Alexis had an absolute zest for life that far outweighed the devastation that was thrust upon her by DIPG. Even in the thick of her fight, Alexis continued to take what life threw at her and enjoy her days. In the short time she had on this earth, Alexis transcended the boundaries of ordinary life and transformed into a hero. A hero, unwittingly thrust into this role without choice or say. All the while, she never complained and never questioned it for a single day.

For more than 10 years, Alexis has guided her family's path and continues to give them the strength to fight for her and for all the children who continue to be diagnosed with the most difficult of cancers.

1 in 285 children in the U.S. will develop cancer by age 20.

On the average, 15,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Cancer is the #1 killer of children by disease in the United States, yet it remains one of the most underfunded diseases in the world.

The Cure Starts Now focuses on the Homerun Cure™ to all cancers by concentrating our research funding efforts on the deadliest forms of cancer. With over $30 million in pediatric brain cancer research funding to date, you can rest assured that 100% of your donation, after credit card processing, will go directly to innovative research. Please join us in funding crucial research to save our youngest of warriors.