Puyallup, Wash. -- Her laugh alone can disarm the enemy. But, then comes the real show of strength when nine-year old Alexis Douglas breaks a board of solid wood with one powerful punch.
"Some people say, when I tell them I Tae Kwon Do, they say, 'don't mess with you'," said Alexis.
Alexis learned how to become a machine of martial arts moves at Master Q's studio in Puyallup. But her instinct to persevere, no matter how big the battle, began at birth.
"Well I had a disease called cancer in one of my kidneys," said Alexis. "Usually people who get that don't really live."
At eleven weeks old, Alexis was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma. The cold reality of that cancer hit her mom, Jill, and the rest of the family head on.
"She had a main tumor on her kidney and around the aorta and multiple liver tumors and it went into her bone marrow and into her leg," said Jill. "The doctor gave her a 10-percent chance of surviving this horrible cancer."
At Seattle Children's Alexis received twenty-two rounds of chemo therapy, twelve cycles of radiation plus nine surgeries.
"And, she's doing great," said Jill. "We celebrate her life everyday. And ninety-percent of the kids who went through treatment with her passed away. We are very fortunate."
But, to see more success stories it takes research, not only to find a cure, but to reduce the brutal side effects of cancer treatment.
"The treatment of cancers, the chemo therapies, she has severe hearing loss. So, all areas of research are so important, not just cancer, all of it," said Jill.
That's why Jill and Alexis are teaming up to help sell a 46-hundred square foot dream home in Maple Valley.
"All the rooms are really, really good and big and huge and I loved that house," said Alexis after visiting the home.
The luxurious living space was built by MainVue Homes and Estates at Sugarloaf Mountain, and one-hundred percent of the purchase price will benefit cancer research at Seattle Children's.
"I think it's gonna raise a lot of money and that's why I am really happy I get to support Seattle Children's," added Alexis.
Every time there's funding to support a new breakthrough, it gives kids like Alexis renewed strength and a powerful ally in their fight against cancer.
The MainVue Seattle Children's Charity House is still accepting bids. Once again, the purchase price will go directly to Seattle Children's Research Institute. For more information click here.
