Alyssa's Story

Alyssa
Age 15
Leukemia

MeritCare Children’s Hospital

Alyssa is a talented 15-year-old honor roll student and like most girls her age, she loves to play volleyball, piano and visit her lake cabin in the summer. But unlike most girls her age, Alyssa is battling leukemia.

On June 10, 2009, the day she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, her doctor instructed Alyssa and her family to pack and go straight to MeritCare Children’s Hospital. The drive across North Dakota was quiet and five hours later her treatment began with a blood transfusion.

Alyssa has undergone six months of chemotherapy and will continue treatment for another two years. When asked about losing her hair, she shrugs and says: “It’s just hair, things could be a lot worse.”

Alyssa has faced her illness with a positive attitude and never complains. Since she was 12 years old, Alyssa has wanted to be a pharmacist. Now she wants to be a chemo pharmacist.