Welcome to AlexStrong!

Alexander Lee Dexter came into this world on October 9, 2018. He was perfect. He thrived throughout his first 10 months, growing into a chubby infant with the brightest blue eyes, sweet red hair, a love of music and moving, and a smile that stole the hearts of many. He was adored by me, my wife, and his four older siblings.  

On August 29, 2019 we took him to his pediatrician because his abdomen was swollen and he had become increasingly irritable and lethargic. We believed that he may have had a bowel obstruction. Sadly, we were very wrong. Alex was rushed to the Emergency Department where a bedside x-ray was performed. It was negative. Bowel obstruction was not the culprit. Next, an ultrasound was performed, and that is the first time my heart sank. They found a large mass originating from Alex’s right kidney. Cancer. There were two possibilities: Wilm’s tumor, which is treatable and most children have good outcomes, or Neuroblastoma, a renegade cancer in the sense that there are various different types and outcomes. As more tests were done, It became clear that it was Neuroblastoma. Alex was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. A central line was placed and chemotherapy began. In the weeks following, a DNA analysis of his tumor confirmed the worst. Alex not only had Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, his was deemed 'High Risk' due to MYCN gene amplification. The cards were stacking against us.

Alex underwent induction chemotherapy which included five inpatient cycles. He appeared as though he was getting better and his cancer was responding to treatment. Early January came. Alex had an eight-hour surgery to meticulously remove the remaining tumor in his abdomen which engulfed major blood vessels and to remove his kidney that had been ravaged by the initial tumor. He recovered from surgery like a superhero and started his final cycle of high risk chemotherapy. He was expected to undergo an autologous bone marrow transplant. A full set of scans were conducted to re-stage his disease before transplant. Again, the scans revealed terrible news. Although Alex was clinically doing well, his cancer had spread. He was diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease. This meant that the cancer had spread and coated his spinal cord and exterior of his brain. An ominous sign at this point in the course of Neuroblastoma treatment. Our hearts sank again. Hopes of a transplant were gone, and his treatment plan changed. 

Alex was expedited to a cycle of combination immuno-chemotherapy. Discussions with renowned pediatric oncologists specializing in neuroblastoma lead to him beginning an intense chemotherapy known as 'High Dose-ICE' therapy. Two cycles of therapy this intense proved to be encouraging after an MRI of his brain was read to show 'marked improvement'. Albeit, with some acute damage to his remaining kidney and permanent, mild hearing loss. To balance these risks and benefits, his doctor next recommended he resume immuno-chemotherapy, concurrent with weekly chemo delivered directly to the leptomeninges.  

After two cycles of immunotherapy and numerous injections of intrathecal chemotherapy Alex’s cancer was stable according to scans. On July 10, 2020 Alex was admitted to the hospital with a central line infection. A series of events followed that yet again, changed our lives forever. His central line had to be removed. A few days later, an attempt to place a PICC line was unsuccessful. The line did not go where they intended and bedside scans revealed that not only was his line out of place, it had knotted. This was unprecedented. His physicians had never seen this in their careers, only rare cases in the literature. On Sunday, July 19, Alex began to have seizures. He was never the same. Scans showed that the leptomeningeal disease was back--with a vengeance. After many discussions with his physicians, it became clear that the most loving decision was to end treatment and go home. The most difficult decision a parent could make, but it was done out of love and compassion for Alex. We did not want to subject him to anymore chemotherapy as we could see he was in no condition to continue this battle. 

On July 23, Alex left the hospital for the last time. He spent his remaining days in our home surrounded by his sister and 3 brothers. On August 25, 2020 Alex left this world ending his battle with cancer. He was no longer in pain or suffering. One year to the day of his diagnosis we laid Alex to rest on August 29, 2020. 

Throughout Alex’s journey he fought with grace and dignity. He smiled through the pain and with the greatest attitude. Not once did his strength waiver. He continued to fight until his final moments. Alex is truly an inspiration. His story puts perspective on life. He showed our family and the many people that supported him that the small things in life make the biggest difference. Being grateful for every moment spent with those you love. Smiling through struggle. Loving life through pain. Staying strong, Alex-strong.  

The AlexStrong Foundation will help Alex's legacy of love, perseverance and strength live on. AlexStrong will raise awareness of childhood cancer. With an aim to enable families to focus on the small things during their journeys. And helping doctors and nurses to provide the utmost compassionate and family-centered care. Alex became known for his play mat that accompanied him to each hospital admission making hospital life more tolerable for a baby/toddler. The mat served as his dance floor, picnic site, and play area to roam and was easy to sanitize. It offered him freedom from the confines of his encaged crib or cramped chair with Mom and Dad. That mat also saw many burpees, push ups, and sit ups while Alex napped and we sought stress relief from hospital life. An initial goal of AlexStrong is to provide play mats for the local pediatric oncology group to have for patients and their families to use. As the foundation grows so will it’s goals.

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Event details:

Do the AlexStrong workout any day the week of Sept 23rd to Sept 30th.

Shirts will be on presale Sep 1st to Sept 30th (and shipped as soon as possible).

Registration is $10 per person with the option to donate further if you are able to.

All proceeds go to establishing The AlexStrong Foundation to benefit those affected by childhood cancer.

T-shirt and Tanks

Option 1: Alex the Lion

Option 2: AlexStrong

Follow us on IG @alexstrongfoundation

If you have any questions, please reach out to Chrisdexter@alexstrongfoundation.com for assistance.