“This is my fight song,

Take back my life song,

Prove I’m alright song,

My power’s turned on,

Starting right now I’ll be strong,

I’ll play my fight song,

And I don’t really care if nobody else believes,

‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me.”

The lyrics to “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten, take on special meaning to two students at Tiffany Wakeley Academy of Dance this year, as both of them know what it means to battle cancer. Amie Adams, a cancer survivor and student at Jamestown Community College, will be dancing a contemporary jazz number to the song at the academy’s dance recital Friday.

Every year, the studio does a number for a cause and this year, Adams’ number was selected. It will be in honor of young Alexis Ackley, a 9-year-old dance student who has been stricken with cancer for a second time. Two years ago, Ackley had to stop dance just before her recital and last year, she was still unable to dance. This year, she was so happy to return and has been excited about her recital dances, especially “Walk Like An Egyptian.”

Sadly, in March, cancer was discovered in her lungs and at this point, it is unclear whether she will be able to perform in her recital night on Friday at Southwestern School, but she and her family are hopeful.

A collection will be taken for Ackley on both Thursday and Friday nights of the recital and there will also be a secret auction for bids of two canvas-wrapped paintings to benefit Ackley and her family. Bids start at $50 each. The paintings, donated by Tiffany Wakeley Heintzman, are of “The Last Supper” and “The Mona Lisa.” Anyone wishing to donate to Alexis’ cause can contact the dance studio at 484-8304 or info@wakeleyacademy.org.

Adams said she feels “incredibly honored” to be performing the dance for a cause this year. “Fight Song” is a song she relates to. Two years ago during her senior year of high school, Adams was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, resulting in a complete thyroidectomy and treatment with radioactive iodine to kill any thyroid tissue still remaining that might be cancerous. Upon completion of the treatment she remained in complete isolation from everyone, including her parents and her puppy, as she was actually radioactive for a while. Her escape during this time was music and “Fight Song” particularly resonated with her, as she fought to regain her health. She continues to be watched by her doctors and has had several body scans. With the last scan the doctors told her all was looking good and she got to skip this year’s scan.

She said she is very excited to perform this number for Ackley, whose courage and strength have brought even more emotion to this dance for Adams, who has been thinking a lot about Ackley and her current fight. She said the battle Ackley is facing is a tough one and requires a fight with much heart and resolve. Adams is hoping that Ackley will see in her dance all of the continual positive energy and prayers that are being sent her way from everyone at the Tiffany Wakeley Academy of Dance.

“This is for you,” Adams said.

On May 25, 2014, Ackley was complaining of pain on her right side while visiting her great aunt. She was taken to the hospital where she was transferred to Women and Children’s in Buffalo. She was admitted and diagnosed with a wilms tumor on her right kidney.

“I was in total shock with such news hearing that my child has cancer and feeling helpless,” said Kristin Ackley, her mother.

The surgical team made the decision to do a radical nephrectomy on the right kidney. This is a total removal of the diseased kidney and the surgery was successful. The first week after surgery, Alexis received radiation and then for six months she would receive chemotherapy at Roswell Park.

“The first month after surgery we stayed at Ronald McDonald House until Alexis was able to go home, but she would return to Roswell every two weeks for chemo,” Kristin said. “In December 2014, Alexis went into remission.”

Alexis continued to go to Roswell every three months for check-ups. At her March 2016 check-up, cancer was discovered in her lungs. Again, it was a form of wilms tumor. In April, Alexis had surgery to have a med port put in and the following week at Roswell Park she started five rounds of chemo every 20 hours lasting Monday through Friday. Alexis will have this done at a rate of one week of chemo, then two weeks off. She had an infection and stayed almost another week receiving antibiotics. She is now feeling better, but chemo will continue until 13 rounds are completed. What the next step is depends on how Alexis responds to these treatments. At home, Alexis has the VNA come in twice a week to draw blood and must also receive a shot twice a month to boost her white blood cells.

“Alexis is a sweet, polite little girl who loves school and does well,” Kristin said. “She aspires to become a pediatrician. Alexis enjoys soccer and riding her bike with friends. This is a very strong little girl who has to somewhat be an adult. Most people know her as the little girl who is always smiling. She loves to dance and really hopes to be able to dance in her recital on Friday.”

Anyone wishing to donate to Alexis’s cause can contact the dance studio at 484-8304 or info@wakeleyacademy.org. Anyone attending the Academy’s recitals today and tomorrow is also encouraged to bring cards for Alexis. There will be table to drop them off.