“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: My son Alex is a Gold Ribbon Hero because he fought and persevered after being diagnosed with a PNET brain tumor at age 3 and age 5. He astounded the entire community of doctors, family, neighbors and friends with his awesome strength, his intense joy in the face of difficult times, and his positive attitude.  He skipped down the hall to radiation each morning, and sang bible songs under the radiation mask.  He brought his nerf guns to the hospital and aimed them at the chemo bags hanging by his bed.  His doctors always loved to come visit his room because of the joy it was filled with. He never complained and now he spends his springs raising money for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. He also headed up a Pjammin® event for the American Childhood Cancer Organization when he was 10 and raised over $2000 for them. He is an awesome, wonderful, strong, admirable 14 year old young man of God graced with love for every living thing. Although the affects of radiation have made learning difficult, he has never complained at how much harder it has been for him in school. He always enjoys it and God’s light shines through him and people cannot help but notice. God is our hero first, and Alex is our awesome Gold Ribbon Hero!!” – Vicki B.