Alexandria’s journey as a youth volunteer began when she joined her high school’s Interact Club as a freshman. What started as a way to make new friends quickly grew into a passion for service. Now a senior, she is not only a dedicated student volunteer but also a leader, taking on volunteer roles within her school and the Susan G. Komen community.
Alexandria’s first experience volunteering with the breast cancer community came when she joined her mom, a radiation oncologist, for a presentation to a breast cancer support group when she was 11. “I remember feeling excited to be there to help the breast cancer community,” she said.
Making Friends and Making a Difference
Years later, she joined her high school’s Interact Club – a service club sponsored by Rotary International – to connect with her fellow students and engage with her community.
“As time went on, I realized that I truly loved engaging with the community and making a positive impact,” she said.
She also joined Ladies of Power, a community service club focused on empowering young women. After serving as the club’s secretary as a junior, Alexandria stepped into the role of president this year.
“At the end of the day, we want our members to grow socially and feel like they’ve made an impact on their community,” she said.
Connecting Community Service with a Cause
Ladies of Power first connected with Komen in 2024 to volunteer at their local Race for the Cure. Alexandria and 20 club members supported the event’s water station and kids’ area.
“It was moving to see how many lives have been impacted by Komen,” she said. “Seeing how breast cancer survivors were celebrated like heroes inspired me to get involved on a larger scale.”
Leading a School Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness
After volunteering at the 2024 Race for the Cure, Alexandria engaged her school in fundraising for Komen. She approached the school administration for approval to organize a Go Pink for the Cure breast cancer fundraiser.
“We held a teachers versus students dodgeball tournament,” she said. “We held it in March for Women’s History Month and sold tickets and concessions. It was such a fun event, and we raised a little over $1,300 for Komen.”
Breaking Barriers as a Youth Volunteer
Alexandria joined the Race for the Cure operations committee, and at 17, is the youngest of the group of volunteers leading event-day planning. Her priority is securing entertainment for the event, and she already secured martial arts demonstration team to perform.
Additionally, she challenged Ladies of Power to create handmade support cards to include in sponsor bags for survivors and people living with metastatic breast cancer.
“We’ve made about 500 cards so far,” she said. “We plan to distribute half to Race participants, and we’ll send the remaining cards to a local hospital that treats breast cancer patients.”
In addition to her role with Komen and Ladies of Power, Alexandria is the president of the Interact Club. Claire Mangin, a special education teacher and advisor of Ladies of Power, admires Alexandria’s commitment and work ethic.
“I’ve never met someone as driven as her at such a young age,” Claire said. “She’s making connections and lifelong friendships while she’s doing it – I’ve truly never seen anything like it.”
The Next Chapter: Looking Ahead with Purpose
Though the school year has only just begun, Alexandria is already planning for the next stage of her education. She hopes to follow in her mom’s footsteps and pursue a career in medicine.
“I want to study biology and have a special interest in biotechnology, microbiology and human physiology,” she said. “I’m leaning toward being a trauma physician because it’s something different every day, and I’m the kind of person who thrives in the chaos of things.”
No matter where her education takes her, Alexandria plans to continue making a difference in her community and encouraging the next generation of volunteers. “Young people are a symbol of hope for the future,” she said.
“By volunteering and demonstrating our commitment to helping the community, we show people that we will improve the world for years to come.”
Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
