Pre-prom fundraiser being held for woman battling cancer for sixth time
A chance encounter is bringing a much-needed source of support to a woman who is running out of fingers to count the number of fights she's had with cancer.
Alexa Dacres was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2012. This type of cancer develops from immature nerve cells in several body parts. However, after beating this disease, it sadly has returned multiple times, with Dacres now in her sixth fight.
"A lot of people fear the unknown, which is a fear of mine too," Dacres said to CTV News. "I fear not knowing things."
The disease took much of her childhood away from her, forcing her to miss parties, all of grade 10 and much of her senior year.
But now a chance encounter with the founder of Random Acts of Kindness Alliston, a start-up charity working to lend a helping to those who need it, is providing her with a much-needed source of support.
On June 15, the charity will hold a pre-prom party for the graduating class of Banting Memorial. Founder Nicole Melara hopes to get as many students out as possible to the party. Professional makeup artists, professional photographers, flowers and tasty treats will all be offered for a minimum $20 donation.
Those funds will go towards Dacres as she continues a battle she's all too familiar with fighting.
"We just want to bring as much attention and awareness to it and help her keep the life that she deserves," said Melara of Random Acts of Kindness Alliston. "At the end of the day, not only do you have a really good pre-prom party, but you're doing something for somebody who truly deserves recognition for her skills and to help her keep going."
Random Acts of Kindness is Melara's latest mission in life. A recovered heroin addict, she started the charity as a way to give back to the community. In addition to holding events like this, the charity has a fridge and pantry open 24/7 for anyone in need.
"I had a rough life," Melara said. "I got out, but most of my friends didn't, and I think I got out because this was what I was supposed to do."
The funds will go towards Dacres' travel costs. Despite being an adult now, she is still being treated at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, which she says is due to the complexity of her case.
"I've missed out on a lot, but I've also gained a lot," said Dacres. "I've gained a lot of perspective on life. I've learned to appreciate, like truly appreciate every day that I get here; even if it's not the greatest day, I still got another day."
The party will be held on June 15, starting at 11 a.m. at 180 Nelson Street West in Alliston.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.
The House is on the brink of approving aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle
The House is preparing in a rare Saturday session to approve US$95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.