On March 5, 2007 Alex was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma Skull Based Tumor. Alex has endured brain, lung, and numerous other surgeries and procedures to survive. Nerve grafting was also preformed to fix the nerve damage caused by the tumor on the right side of his face. Alex’s team of Oncologists at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center provided cutting edge medical treatment that was completed in December 2007.

On August 10, 2008, Alex suffered a SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) and went into a coma. Again, his team of doctors at CCHMC did numerous tests to find the cause and save Alex’s life with no damage to the brain. Alex’s heart has suffered some damage from one of the chemotherapy drugs needed for his survival. He has a defibrillator to prevent the cardiac arrests and to continue with his normal activities.

Alex was honored to be a player on the 2006 Covington Catholic Colonels State Championship Football Team in his sophomore year. It has been one of Alex’s most defining moments in his young life. His coaches surprised Alex and presented his State Championship Ring to him in his hospital room. After the brain surgery, Alex was not able to play football again; this makes the Championship Ring even more meaningful to him. His father Tom Dinkel, a former Cincinnati Bengal linebacker has his own AFC Championship Ring from the 1982 Super Bowl. This memorable legacy with their teammates is something Tom and Alex will share together forever.

Alex was strong enough in the summer of 2009 to try out for a collegiate baseball summer team; the Midwest Bruins in Topeka, KS. He made the team and went on to play in the Midwest Conference. His dream of walking on and pitching for Washburn University, a D-II collegiate baseball team, came true after defying all odds.

Alex was accepted at Washburn University and is currently studying health communications. He is also a brother of the Sigma-Phi-Epsilon Fraternity doing philanthropy work extending the Alex Dinkel Foundation awareness in the state of Kansas.

The Alex Dinkel Foundation motto is… Fight to Keep “Staying Alive!” Alex would like to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support. Alex requests continued prayers for all the children and families everywhere suffering from these life threatening pediatric cancers.

Alex’s continuous positive attitude and endless courage, keeps him moving forward; step by step. And though his medical journey continues, chemo is finished and the defibrillator is in place. With continued scanning and tests over the next five years, Alex’s doctors will monitor his heart and make sure the cancer has not returned. We are thankful to say that that he is 3 1/2 years cancer free in 2011.

Dedicated proceeds from the Alex Dinkel Foundation, 501-C3 a non-profit organization, will go to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center for their Hematology/Oncology Clinic to continue their advanced medical research to find a cure and clinical trials around the US. Alex’s goal is to bring awareness throughout the United States that pediatric cancer is the #1 cause of death for children 20 and younger. More children die of pediatric cancer every year than all other cancers combined.

More info 2011: Alex’s treatment is on going as is most cancer patients. Scans and tests are done every year to make sure the cancer has not returned. But that is not the end of the maintenance needed for Alex’s well being for the future. Alex takes testosterone shots every two weeks to keep his energy up. The chemotherapy damaged his heart, thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands. Getting his immune system to function properly is an on going battle. Alex’s defibrillator has had to shock him once in the fall of 2011 since he recieved it. The defibrillator has literally been a life saver for Alex.

In January 2011, Alex’s endocrinologist started him on HGH ” human growth hormones”. Alex was experiencing fatigue, stress, and weight loss. After six months Alex has more energy and needs less sleep.  Alex also gained ten pounds and looks very healthy.  He is able to keep up his grade point average at Washburn University and work part time.

After chemotherapy and radiation most patients think their treatment is over. It’s not, it is just the beginning to get your body healthy and strong enough to fight the cancer from coming back. Having a strong immune system is so important physically and emotionally to each patient. It is up to the patient and their caregiver to inform their oncologist and endocrinologist of any changes they notice in their health.

Without input from patients and caregivers, cancer research would not be successful. Each patient is different and reacts differently to treatments. The best advice we can give is to celebrate your successful treatment and continue check -ups with all of your doctors. Living healthy is a life time goal!