Bright, spirited, meticulous, and willful. These are words Tony and Christine Pellicane use to describe their 10-year-old daughter, Alexis. Whether holding her place with the highest math scores in her class at school, or playing soccer to win, Alexis has always been a whirlwind of energy pushing past boundaries to live large. It is these qualities, her parents believe, that sustained Alexis as leukemia challenged her, testing her fortitude.
 
Alexis was diagnosed with acute myelogenic leukemia (AML) in February 2003. For five months, Alexis endured and battled the leukemia. In July 2003, the Pellicanes celebrated good news: the AML was in remission. But in February 2004, Alexis relapsed. “When the oncologist told her he had some bad news, Alexis took away the burden of the words,” recalls her dad. “Yeah, yeah, I know,” she said, “it came back. It’s okay. I’ll beat it again.”

The only option for Alexis’ survival was a bone marrow transplant (BMT). When none of her family members were identified as a match, a search was launched through the National Marrow Donor Program. In April 2004, with the gift of an anonymous donor, Alexis underwent a BMT.

Alexis spent four months at City of Hope in a tenuous struggle for life. To beat boredom during the times she felt well, she began crafting beaded bracelets and accessories. Her crafts became so popular among staff and visitors that Alexis placed a box in her room to collect donations in exchange for a beaded gift. Upon her discharge, Alexis donated $800 to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Today, Alexis continues to regain her strength  —  and hone her business skills. At her insistence, she and her mother established Gold Ribbon Designs, raising money for various cancer and pediatric illness charities through the sales of beaded handiwork and accessories at craft fairs. “Alexis has always been compassionate,” says her mom, “but now more than ever, helping others is her passion.”