Kassana Alexander was a normal five-year-old early this year. Her favorite activities were gymnastics, her dolls, playing outside with her brothers, Chase and Chance, and making slime. Suddenly, she began running a fever, had severe hip pain and couldn’t walk. Grandmother Quovadis, herself a CMA, noticed swollen lymph glands.

Mom Cathy took Kassana to Atrium Hospital in Concord on Jan. 24, hoping for some answers. Cathy said, “We stayed all day while the staff ran tests and checked numbers. Then suddenly we were sent to Levine’s Children’s Hospital where more tests confirmed leukemia, a blood cancer.”

Admitted immediately, Kassana’s care team went to work and right away installed a port in her chest for medication needs. They provided information on how treatment would work as it ramped up quickly. Kassana stayed at Levine’s for a week as pills, blood, platelets and other transfusions were administered. Most painful during the hospitalization were daily shots into Kassana’s leg using a very large needle. Mom and daughter both dreaded these shots. After going home, she and Cathy still have to return for three days a week, about four hours each time and it does still include those same shots. Kassana also has chemo weekly and a spinal tap every other week.

Cathy and Quovadis share the kid responsibilities, and until recently both had to share one car with all the hospital and work travel. Cathy described that arrangement as a “real mess.” She said, “My employer, Metro T-Mobile, has been wonderful to us. I previously worked up to 60-hour weeks as a single mom to support the family, but now they let me work whenever I can, probably averaging 15-20 hours. My mom’s employer, Dr. Shareef at Rocky River Pediatrics, has been very understanding too. Mom has helped me so much, she says that I just have them, but they are her babies!”

Kassana and her family will be the recipients for all proceeds raised at the Grace Lutheran Church Fish Fry on Saturday, Oct. 12, annually one of the largest fund raisers in the county. The Alexander family already are attending church and will all be at the fish fry to meet the attendees.

Fish will be available dine-in, carry-out and drive-thru from 4-8 p.m. at 3020 Grace Church Road, Salisbury. A parking lot shuttle service will be provided. A Gator and basket raffles, plus a 50/50 drawing will all be completed about 8 p.m.

Fish plates will include fish, fries, hushpuppies, slaw, dessert, all for a cost of $15. A children’s plate for $7 includes fish or a hot dog. Drinks are included for dine-in only.

Dan Roseman headed the committee that chose this year’s recipient. He said, “Kassana’s story resonated with our committee since we had a previous candidate with a similar diagnosis. We knew the challenges that the family has dealt with. Ultimately, we feel we are Spirit-led and pray for all the candidates, then we trust the Lord’s guidance.”

Cathy Alexander said, “As a family, we want to thank Grace Lutheran Church for being so welcoming. We know they had lots of choices for recipients, yet only God led them to choose our little Kassana. My mother and I have always been givers, so we are very appreciative and humbled for them to see fit to give to us. We are growing as a family in faith, and we owe that to Grace Lutheran’s congregation and their wonderful pastor. Our hopes and prayers include continuing to thrive as a family, beat this cancer and move forward to being the best family of faith that God allows us to be. We can’t say enough about Grace Lutheran, but we intend to continue our Sunday visits and hopefully join this wonderful church one day. Visiting with them always feels like home.”

As long-time lead organizer of the fish fry, Mike Yost looks forward to another rewarding event. He said, “We have a very deserving recipient. I hope people come to know her and help us heap more blessings upon their family. Our church pulls together annually for this wonderful event, and as the saying goes, ‘It’s all God’s work and our hands.’”

Cathy isn’t surprised that Kassana, now six years old, has been very strong and brave through it all. She’s has been losing her hair, but said, “Don’t be sad, mom, it’s just hair and it’s going to grow back so pretty!”

Still the road is long, as doctors expect the treatments will continue well into 2026. Call Yost with any questions or to donate at 704-213-1262.