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Alex's Story
Alexandra Hudson Simpson
Alex was just 5 feet tall…tiny but larger than life and that’s why she earned the nickname ‘Big A.’ Alex’s first battle with cancer came at the age of 13 when she was diagnosed with CIC DUX4 sarcoma, a rare, aggressive, and metastatic cancer. ‘Big A’ chose to fight it head-on and to live every single moment to the fullest. On the days that her tiny body would allow, she went to school, performed in plays, sang at church, cooked favorite meals, and spent precious time with family and friends. Alex endured painful, long, and exhausting treatments. But she beat the disease.
Round One:
Cancer-0
Big A-1
The celebration was short-lived. Alex’s disease returned within a year. She took the same approach. Fight hard. Live harder. Love hardest. It was during her second battle that Alex was asked if she wanted to fulfill a dream through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She was reluctant, worrying that it would put her in a mindset that cancer was winning. The nurses convinced her that admitting she was sick, was not admitting defeat and that fulfilling a wish was a way to celebrate life. Alex realized she had a dream that money couldn't buy. After Alex’s father passed away from cancer when she was 8, acting, singing and dancing became her happy place as she navigated her loss, leading her to the starring role of 'Annie.' Alex's dream was to meet one of her idols, actress Lea Michelle who like Big A, began performing at a young age. At the time Lea was starring in the TV series Glee, but she began her career on Broadway as young Cosette in 'Les Miserables'. The Make-A-Wish Foundation worked their magic, and Alex was whisked away to California to spend the day with Michele. The pair talked and laughed, shared stories of their love of acting, and even dodged the paparazzi so that Alex, who was very shy about her hair loss and having to wear a wig, would not be photographed. Alex returned to Kentucky filled with energy and could not stop sharing stories of her adventure with everyone. She continued treatment with the grit and confidence of a warrior. Soon the word Alex and everyone had been praying for came. Remission.
Round Two:
Cancer- 0
Big A- 2
Alex continued living with passion, unending joy, kindness and gratitude. She savored every moment and instead of questioning if she deserved a dream, she worked tirelessly to make sure they all came true. Alex blossomed as an actress, singer, and dancer, was a cheerleader, a researcher who studied octopi, became fluent in French, traveled the world, graduated in the top ten of her high school class and was accepted to the university of her dreams, Dartmouth. Alex passed the five-year mark of being cancer-free… a milestone. She planned to change the world as a lawyer and dreamed of a career advocating for patients and medical teams. That wish would not be realized.
The day after Thanksgiving of her senior year of college, Alex waited at Boston Children’s Hospital where she had been treated when she was younger. She hadn’t been feeling well. Alex and her mother were met by her team of doctors, faces grim that conveyed the news no one wanted to hear. Cancer. It was back with a vengeance. Big A, now a woman, never asked “Why me?” She never gave up. She never stopped fighting. She walked across the stage to receive her diploma despite having suffered a stroke the night before her graduation from Dartmouth. She spent the remainder of that summer living with reckless abandon, savoring everything the world had to offer her. And Alex never stopped giving, having her tumor removed and used for research, and her eyes, the only organ she was able to give because of her disease, donated so that others could see.
Alex left Earth on August 27th, 2022.
Round 3:
Cancer-0
Big A-3
You may think we have the math wrong on the final round. We do not. Cancer changed Alex’s body and forced us to wait to see her again, but it never crushed her spirit or her soul. Cancer did not win. Big A taught everyone around her to embrace life, to savor every minute, to fulfill passions, to try everything you ever dream of, and most importantly, to ‘Make-A-Wish.’
Alexandra Hudson Simpson won.
