By the time Valerie (Vernon) Landon was 25 years old, she was living a life others might only dream about. She had established herself as a professional singer, traveled around the world performing on a luxury cruise ship and landed her first acting job on a hit children’s television series. As an actress portraying “Kendrix Morgan” the pink Power Ranger in the television series “Power Rangers: The Lost Galaxy”, Valerie delighted children as she fought off evil using martial arts, brains and brawn.

But Valerie’s superhero persona melted the day she came face to face with a truly formidable challenger, leukemia. A charitable foundation had arranged for several children who were ill with leukemia to meet the Power Rangers. Valerie, as Kendrix Morgan, was delighted to spend time with them, taking pictures and signing autographs. After the children left, she returned to her trailer and broke down in sobs. “I am so lucky that I am not sick,” she recalls thinking. Yet the truth was that Valerie had been suffering from minor ailments for some time. Later that week, Valerie was shocked to learn that she, too, had leukemia.

She immediately began chemotherapy at her local hospital while also conducting research on the Internet where she found a supportive online community. This cyber-community directed Valerie to City of Hope and Stephen J. Forman, M.D. “Dr. Forman put me at ease and gave me hope. When my brother was identified as a perfect match for a bone marrow transplant (BMT) I knew I would be okay,” recalls Valerie.
 
Valerie underwent a BMT in July 1999 and soon returned to pursuing her dreams. While she reprised her role as Kendrix Morgan in the 2000 Power Rangers movie, she has stepped aside from acting to focus on new loves in her life. She married in 2002 and, subsequent to purchasing a house, discovered a passion for interior design. In 2005, she launched KV Interior Design with a partner and is enjoying success. She is also looking forward to beginning a family.
“I am living life to the fullest and not taking it for granted,” says Valerie.