Alex Archer's 13-year cancer journey offers hope for future

COTTAM — September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month and also marks 13 years into Alex Archer’s journey.

It all began with a three-year-old with a sore leg. It hurt him when he walked, then he started sleeping more than usual and then he never felt like playing anymore.

His mother, Dr. Karen Archer, was understandably concerned.

“Doctors told us there was nothing to worry about,” she said. “Then, our world came crashing down when Alex was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (A.L.L.) on Christmas Eve 2008.”

At that time, Alex had a new baby brother and a five-year-old sister. He was brought into remission in a short time at London Children’s Hospital, then continued chemotherapy for three-and-a-half years.

In 2013, Alex experienced a relapse of A.L.L. and again was brought into remission and then continued treatment for another two-and-a-half years.

It was during these years that Alex developed a keen interest in sports, playing travel hockey and baseball and all school sports, especially loving track and cross country.

“I remember taking him to Met hospital in the morning for chemo, then rushing him to a track meet in the afternoon so he could run his events,” says his mom. “There were teachers that would drop what they were doing to watch him run and he broke records.”

Alex Archer during his treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Photo submitted

In 2017 at age 11, Alex had a second relapse of A.L.L.and although he was brought into remission again with chemotherapy, it was decided that a bone marrow transplant was needed.

Alex spent four months in London, undergoing both chemotherapy and immune therapy to ready him for the transplant. An unrelated donor was found and the bone marrow transplant took place at SickKids in Toronto on his 12th birthday.

He couldn’t leave the room he had the transplant in for 28 days.

Alex spent the next three months in Toronto, staying between the hospital and Ronald McDonald House, and received incredible care.

In total, he did not sleep in his own bed for seven months that year.

The doctors were amazed because he was the only transplant patient they had ever had that would ride their bike to hospital appointments from RMH Toronto.

Once he was home, he couldn’t attend school at Gosfield North PS in Cottam due to the risk of infection and the school board provided a tutor for several months.

Alex Archer is now a happy 16-year-old.

Photo submitted

Alex was the Relay for Life Champion for this area in 2018 and delivered a speech with humour and hope that had the crowd in tears.

Upon his grade 8 graduation, he was presented with an award that combined academic and athletic performance as well as perseverance.

This past June marked four years since his transplant.

The family was recently put in contact with the bone marrow donor, who is from Germany.

Alex is now 16 years old and enjoys golf, baseball, hanging around with friends and has a summer job.

He hopes to continue playing on the volleyball, basketball and badminton teams at Essex District High School this year.

Alex’s story is about hope, perseverance and strength.

“I wouldn’t wish these last 13 years on any family, but it has made us appreciate each other and make the most of every day,” says his mom.