Alexandra is a UCLA graduate who majored in molecular, cell and developmental biology with a minor in English literature. She has been diagnosed with three different types of cancer throughout her life and beat them all! She is very happy, involved and likes to be outdoors. She’s always enjoyed reading and writing, especially since being in the hospital, and was very active on the UCLA campus working as an undergraduate researcher with genetic blood disorders. She is continuing her research in San Francisco and plans to eventually attend medical school to become a physician. She’s been so inspired by the people who have taken care of her that she hopes to do the same for others and pursue a career in oncology.

Alexandra was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when she was 2 years old after her parents noticed symptoms upon moving to America. Five years later, an abnormal fracture in her humerus bone led to the diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma in her right arm. After being closely monitored for many years, abnormalities in her scans revealed a third diagnosis of spindle cell sarcoma.

She received chemotherapy for her leukemia, followed by chemotherapy and radiation for the Ewing sarcoma and finally surgery and radiation for spindle cell sarcoma.

Cancer defined her childhood for many years, but it ultimately made Alexandra who she is today. She is stronger, smarter and better because of her experiences.

To her, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) symbolizes the distinctness of the childhood cancer experience. It focuses on the challenges Alexandra and her family faced and sets its focus on the primary goal of finding a cure for childhood cancer. It is specific to her experience and helps a group who can feel genuinely isolated in their own situation.

Alexandra made a difference on her own too as president of Bruins Fighting Pediatric Cancer, which continues to work closely with ALSF in Los Angeles. They host all of their fundraisers for ALSF and participate in local events. She has recieved her master's degree in global health, and is currently working as a course assistant at UCSF while helping the Global Cancer Program tackle disparities in global cancer care.

Information provided by Alexandra Keir
Updated February 2020