BRATTLEBORO — According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children and adolescents in the United States. About 10,450 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2015.
When Alexis “Lexy” June Giallella of Brookline lost her battle with cancer on Nov. 12, 2013, Brenda Lynn Siegel knew she had to do something.
Siegel, a family friend and Executive/Artistic Director of IBIT Dance Company, decided to bring attention to childhood cancer through her work as a choreographer.
On Saturday, March 28, at 4:30 p.m. at The Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro, IBIT will be performing Pieces of Now as a part of the Childhood Cancer Awareness Tour. The tour will also feature stops in Cambridge and Hadley, Mass., and Lebanon, N.H.
Siegel shares more about what will be seen at The Latchis Theatre.
“This piece is like a ballet for Modern Dance. It tells the story of Lexy and her family. The story of an entire community who pulled together to support this young lady and to grieve with her family. There is audio from Lexy's family and dancers who range in age from 10-24. The choreography is meant to allow people to take a look at this problem and really see it.”
The main point in this work is to illustrate how cancer affects all of us. In order to truly address this disease, more communities need to help bring awareness to this issue. Pieces of Now also illustrates who Alexis was in her life.
Cherish Clark, Lexy's mom, says her daughter “was a fighter. She never knew the word 'can't,' and always stayed positive with a great sence of humor. She is and always will be with us in spirit with such a beautiful soul. She had a lot to give and she gave so much in such a short time. I guess that is what a true angel is.”
“After losing Lexy, I hope that there is a lot more awareness about cancer, because no parent should have to lose their child,” said Lexy's father, Robert Giallella. “I am really hoping that people support this project so that we can raise awareness about this issue. That way Lexy can make a difference and change a part of the world that needs to be changed.”
Lexy's family is hoping that people come out and support this project. Fifty percent of the proceeds from the tour will benefit the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit at the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD).
Additionally, the funds raised will be doubled back to CHaD, thanks to CHaD's funding partner Positive Tracks, a national, youth-centric nonprofit that helps Generation Next get active and give back using the power of sport.
The Positive Tracks program plugs into charitable athletic events to double dollars and amplify awareness generated by ages 23 and under.