2-year-old cancer survivor inspires toy drive

Northeast Hazel Dell — A year ago, 2-year-old Alex Smith had a rare form of leukemia and received a livesaving bone marrow transplant. His parents, Rob and Chrissy Smith, decided to celebrate his second chance at life with a toy drive for cancer patients at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital on Oct. 18. During the “Tucker’s Toybox” pizza party, more than $1,600 was raised in toys and donations. Besides having fun with balloon animals and other activities, Alex and his friends made get well cards for other children fighting cancer. Chrissy said they plan on having more toy drives because cancer never quits. Little things can make a big difference when they’re fighting for their lives, she said.