CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Alexandra Schaney, 13, and her mom love taking time out for fun, but for years, they've also spent a lot of time in hospitals for Alexandra's medical care.
When she was 4, she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma.
"They started doing more tests and we were diagnosed with stage 4 high risk," said mother Kelly Schaney.
Alexandra has battled the cancer of the nervous system for the past nine years and just had her fourth relapse.
She said her family and faith give her strength.
"My parents do because they are always telling me to stay positive and to beat it. And also God," Alexandra said.
Her mom, an emergency room nurse, also counts the support of friends and co-workers at Carolinas Medical Center.
"They've stopped their own lives to help us and I can't thank them enough," Kelly Schaney said.
The extended family is hosting a fundraiser at a Charlotte restaurant to help out. Health care costs have jumped now that Alexandra is traveling back and forth to New York for a new therapy.
"We got the fliers and barbecue pit. (It's) easy after that. We just need everyone to show up," said co-worker Arkina Harris.
The team has formed a deep bond working together in the stressful atmosphere of the emergency room and working to save a little girl.
"That makes us closer knit than maybe your 8 to 5, Monday through Friday office, so when something impacts one person it impacts all of us," said co-worker Wendy Henson.
Alexandra couldn't be more grateful.
“Thank you, because I really appreciate their trying to do something to help me out,” she said.