Kayli Hostetler Named 2011 ADF College Scholarship Recipient
Posted on 30. Nov, 2011 by admin in News
The Alex Dinkel Foundation would like to congratulate Kayli Hostetler as the 2011 recipient of our Cancer College Scholarship.
Kayli’s Story: A Unique Opportunity
My life changed when I was eight years old. My late changed forever when I was thirteen years old. You see, my name is Kayli Hostetler and I was diagnosed with Ganglioneuroblastoma when I was eight. Two days after I was diagnosed, the grapefruit-sized tumor was removed by Dr. Pittinger at Akron Children’s Hospital. As with all cancer, it was a whirlwind of events, and I honestly don’t recall much about this time other than the pain and plethora of stuffed animals. I didn’t comprehend the situation when I was eight. A two year process of understanding began when I was thirteen, and Dr. Kuerbitz called to say that the cancer was back.
I honestly didn’t think it would ever come back. Dr. Pittinger removed this second tumor, and after the surgery I got a staph infection in my ten-inch incision. Dr. Kuerbitz said that there were low odds that the cancer would ever come back… he was wrong. When I was fourteen, Dr. Keurbitz called once again to say that I had three new tumors that needed to be removed. This time also required chemotherapy and radiation that caused me to lose thirty pounds, my hair, and my social life. One year later, I was told I had another tumor but they were just going to watch it with scans. Now, at age seventeen, they are still watching the tumor but it remains stable as of my last scan four months ago.
During my time as an invalid, I learned that life is fragile and unpredictable. I realized what most adults understand too late… life is not guaranteed. You need to celebrate the small things and live life to its fullest; you really never know when it’s going to come to an end. Though the cancer has taken much away from me, it has also given me something invaluable: my determination to annihilate pediatric cancer. Nobody likes to think about the fact that children are dying everyday to the number one disease killer of children in the United States — cancer. My dream is that one day pediatric cancer will be obsolete — only read about in history books.
I believe that I am in a unique position to battle cancer; I have had pediatric cancer, but I also have the intellect to do something more to fight it. I think my determination is exemplified through the fact that even though I missed a lot of school in the two years following my treatment, I am still able to graduate at seventeen, a year earlier than my peers, with a 4.0 G.PA. and standardized test scores in the 95th percentile. I have become focused, driven and committed to my goal of obliterating cancer. Becoming a pediatric oncologist will help me to make a difference and find a cure. I know that I will be an exceptional pediatric oncologist because I know exactly what the kids go through, and I have a personal fight with cancer myself. I have taken from my experience and want to try my level best to make sure no child should ever have to deal with this monster.
This has not been an easy road, but I will not allow cancer to live my life for me — even though it would be easy to do so. I know that by having experienced it myself, I can better empathize with those children that will be my patients. The cancer will not kill me, instead I will kill the cancer. I will spend the rest of my life working towards the goal of eliminating childhood cancer.
ADF Names First Scholarship Recipient
Posted on 12. Nov, 2010 by admin in News
The Alex Dinkel Foundation would like to congratulate Andrew O’Dorisio as the first recipient of our Cancer College Scholarship.
Andrew O’Dorisio
Redwood High School
Larkspur, California
Andrew’s Story
On October 28, 2008, Andrew was admitted into the University of California San Francisco Medical Hospital after what he thought was a broken bone, turned out to be much more. After a series of biopsies and scans, it was confirmed that he had Ewing’s Sarcoma in his right scapula. Almost immediately, chemotherapy treatments were given and the battle began.
Being the fighter and athlete that he was, Andrew proceeded to play football, but this time, only as a kicker, in order to avoid contact, which possibly could have been fatal. Andrew’s goal was to maintain as normal of a life that he could throughout all of his treatments; He did so by continuing his education as a Junior at Redwood High School in Larkspur, California, and participating in extra curricular activities as often as he could. However, as time advanced, more nights were being spent in the hospital receiving medical care and less time trying to keep a typical teenage lifestyle. Although graced with frequent visits from all of his friends and coaches, his spirits were only lifted slightly, because nothing could compare when hooked up to an IV.
In March of 2009, Andrew received radiation treatment over a one-month period. When the radiation was over, he continued with the last few chemotherapy cycles that he had left. Finishing his treatments that May, and being considered cancer-free, he says is “The greatest accomplishment of my life.”
When school started up again in August, Andrew wasn’t cleared to play football, but joined the schools’ cross-country team in order to stay healthy. He sucked at it and was most likely the worst on the team. However he enjoyed it, and could hardly wait until the winter season started so he could join the basketball team. That year, the basketball team went undefeated in league and won the North Coast Section and made it to the state quarterfinals – a feat that the school had never seen before. Unfortunately though, towards the final games of the year, one of Andrew’s check up scans showed that the Ewing’s Sarcoma reappeared in small nodules in his lungs. Andrew finished the basketball season and then began a regime of outpatient chemotherapy treatments. That summer, he underwent radiation treatments again, finishing his treatments. He is set up to have check up scans in November, but he says that on the last day of his radiation treatment, lying on the table prior to his treatments, he felt a feeling that he hadn’t felt before. Something was telling him that his last treatment was useless because he was already healed. A feeling sent to him from God is what he believes, was letting him know that his battle was over, hopefully this time forever and not just a year.
In August of 2010, Andrew will begin his college education at the University of California at Berkeley. Still uncertain of what to study, he will be taking a variety of classes, but for now mainly focusing in business. Andrew knows that without the support and prayers given to him by friends and family, none of this would be possible. He thanks you deeply and gives 100% of his gratitude to God for making all things possible for him.
4th Annual ADF Dinner & Auction
Posted on 26. Oct, 2010 by admin in Events, News
The 4th Annual Alex Dinkel Foundation Dinner & Auction will be held at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse on November 17, 2010. The dinner and silent auction benefits Pediatric Sarcoma Cancer Research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Special guest speaker for the evening is broadcaster Thom Brennaman of the Cincinnati Reds and FOX Sports Ohio. Auction items include Carpetland Carpets, Coach Handbags, Sports/Celebrity memorabilia, vacation packages, raffles, sports and concert tickets. The cost to attend the event is $50 per person or $85 per couple. Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 10, 2010. Click here to download our invitation form to attend this event.
Alex Dinkel Fox Sports Ohio Interview
Posted on 10. May, 2010 by admin in News
On May 23, 2009 Alex Dinkel was selected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians baseball game. He was also given the opportunity to join Cincinnati Reds broadcasters George Grande and Chris Welsh in the booth to give in-depth interview about his bout with cancer during Fox Sports Ohio’s telecast of the game.
2nd Annual ADF Tennis Tournment
Posted on 28. Nov, 2009 by admin in Events
The Alex Dinkel Foundation held it’s 2nd annual tennis tournament on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at the Five Seasons Sports Club in Northern Kentucky.
All entry fees, donations and auctioned items benefited the Alex Dinkel Foundation’s WAM Program. This program supports the “Special Needs Fund” at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. This money goes to oncology patient’s families immediately needing lodging, gas cards, phone cards, food cards at CCHMC food court to keep their child’s oncology treatments on their time schedule.
Click here to view the photo galleries of this event.
3rd Annual Alex Dinkel Benefit Event
Posted on 20. Oct, 2009 by admin in Events
The 3rd Annual Alex Dinkel Benefit Dinner & Auction was held at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse on October 19, 2009. The dinner and silent auction benefitted the Special Needs Fund and Pediatric Cancer Research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The benefit was emceed by local radio personality Andy Furman and featured special guest speaker Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Broadcaster Marty Brennaman. Family, friends, and local sports celebrities were there to help support the Alex Dinkel Foundation and to continue to raise awareness about Ewing’s Sarcoma and other pediatric cancers.
Click here to view the photo gallery of the event.
Pediatric cancer kills more children under the age of 20 than any other disease and 99% of all sarcomas occur in children. Ewing’s Sarcoma is a malignant round-cell tumor which cancer cells are found in the bone or in soft tissue. One out of three children, diagnosed with a sarcoma cancer will not survive. The goal is to bring awareness about these rare pediatric cancers that are forever present in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati.
ADF Helps First Out of State Patient
Posted on 10. Oct, 2009 by admin in News
The Alex Dinkel Foundation is pleased to announce we have our first Ewing’s Sarcoma patient from out of state that needs our help. His name is Virgil Dotson and he is from West Virginia. His father is a coal miner and he just broke his hip. Virgil is being treated in Columbus, at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for chemotherapy and Ohio State University for radiation.
The sarcoma is in his foot, tibia, fibia and lungs. He cannot walk, so he is in a wheel chair and is in a lot of pain. He is half way through his treatment and his father lost his job. The social workers gave him and his wife an apartment and they get $50.00 every 3 weeks for food from the hospital. The American Cancer Society sent them $125 gas card and Cancer Care gave him a $100 check but that is only a one time donation. His parents were sending them money for food, but now that is not possible due to his father’s accident.
The Alex Dinkel WAM Program was able to help him until treatment was finished for Virgil.
It is with deep sorrow that Virgil lost his battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma cancer May 12, 2010. Our prayers are with his family and son. We have lost a great friend. Thank you Virgil for letting us be a part of your life.
A Letter From Virgil to ADF:
“Once again me and my wife Brittany want to express our appreciation for your support. You guys really made our day. I will be praying along with my maw-maw, mom, and Brittany that The Alex Dinkel Foundation continues to grow and comfort people like you have me and my family. If there was more people like you guys in the world it would sure be a better place. I’m going to continue to fight and “Stay Alive”. Also I will be e-mailing Alex to boost him up and help him also. Tell everyone in the foundation me and Brittany said hello and thanks. You guys take care and we will keep in touch and I will be sending you pictures from the hockey game tomorrow. Tell your husband I want an autographed t-shirt hehe. Also did you guys get a chance to enjoy your cookies I gave you today. They are really great where I cant taste as good with all of the pumpkin spice in them. We love you guys and keep up the good work.”
Love,
Virgil & Brittany Dotson
Beating the Odds: A Story About Cancer, Baseball & Hope
Posted on 27. Jul, 2009 by admin in News
For many athletes going out to the baseball diamond is almost a given, but for Alex Dinkel of the Midwest Bruins, it is a blessing he won’t ever take for granted.
Alex Dinkel is a long way from home. But he came to Kansas to do one thing and that was to play with the Midwest Bruins baseball team. He traveled the summer all over Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Kansas with his teammates.
Getting back in shape and trying out for the Washburn Ichabods Baseball team was his goal. Alex is a left handed pitcher, 6’3” and 180lbs and growing. Alex entered college in August 2009, and walked on as a pitcher and made the Washburn University baseball team. Alex hopes to live and play each day better than the next.
The following is video interview about Alex’s courageous story that aired on July 27, 2009 by KSNT Channel 27 in Topeka, KS.
1st Annual ADF Tennis Tournament
Posted on 30. Jun, 2009 by admin in Events
The Alex Dinkel Foundation held it’s first annual tennis tournament for teens in the NKY/ Greater Cincinnati Area on June 27, 2009 at Five Seasons Sports Club in Northern Kentucky.
Each player received an Alex Dinkel Foundation canvas back pack bag with the following contents: T- Shirt, aluminum water bottle, tennis towel, Cincinnati Reds hat, car magnet and a “Staying Alive Bracelet”.
The winners received a unique trophy of an ADF 2009 tennis ball in an engraved acrylic case. Winners were also photographed with with Dr. James Geller, the oncologist that treated Alex Dinkel and other children on the oncology floor at CCHMC.
All entry fees & donations went to the support Alex Dinkel Foundation to benefit it’s WAM Program. This program supports the “Special Needs Fund” at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. This money goes to oncology patient’s families immediately needing lodging, gas cards, phone cards, food cards at CCHMC food court to keep their child’s oncology treatments on their time schedule.
In the evening an adult mixer was held benefiting CCHMC Research to fight pediatric cancer. This is the number one cause of childhood deaths for children under twenty years of age.
2nd Annual Alex Dinkel Benefit Dinner
Posted on 17. Dec, 2008 by admin in Events
The 2nd Annual Alex Dinkel Benefit Dinner was held at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse on December 1st, 2008. The event, that was emceed by radio personality Andy Furman, was a huge success. Alex Dinkel announced the launch of the Alex Dinkel Foundation. The ADF was founded to continue the fight against Ewing’s Sarcoma Cancer and other pediatric cancers. Alex Dinkel presented the Foundation’s first check for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to Dr. James I. Geller, M.D. who is the Professor of Clinical Pediatrics Divisions of Hematology/Oncology at CCHMC and also Alex’s Oncologist. Alex is a Ewing’s Sarcoma Cancer survivor of one year and hopefully with continued testing and research, many more.
Family, friends, and local sports celebrities were there to help support Alex Dinkel in the kick-off of his new Foundation. Alex also had several high school friends and/or their family members in attendance that have also acquired this disease or other rare pediatric cancers. The goal is to bring awareness about these rare pediatric cancers that are forever present in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. Alex’s Foundation motto is, “Fight to keep Staying Alive”.
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Photography by Jason Bayer | Copyright © 2008 J MAN STUDIOS
