Mafalda von Alvensleben, a 15-year-old student at Cross Roads School of Arts and Science in Santa Monica, was heartbroken when she was diagnosed last August with one of the rarest forms of pediatric cancer, Ewing’s Sarcoma, which causes a tumor to grow in the bone or soft tissue around the bone. Doctors at UCLA discovered a tumor in her right femur — her thigh bone — that was pushing against her muscles, causing excruciating pain and forcing her to use crutches.
A month later, former classmate Jillian Neuner touched von Alvensleben’s heart when she decided to raise money on her friend’s behalf to fund research and expand awareness of the disease. Ewing’s Sarcoma mainly affects adolescents and adults in the second decade of life. Slightly more than 400 cases are diagnosed every year in the United States.
“I realized I wanted to do something that showed we supported her,” said Neuner, an 8th grade student at Our Lady of Malibu School.
Meanwhile, von Alvensleben had begun treatment almost immediately. Fortunately, the cancer was caught early, with a Stage 1 diagnosis.
“After chemotherapy and radiation, I will undergo surgery in February to remove the bone causing problems,” said von Alvensleben. “My doctor will replace it with a donor bone, and I should regain 100 percent mobility.”
Neuner, after brainstorming with her father, decided to organize a coin drive last November for the Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation at UCLA.
“We were thinking there’s probably a can of coins in everyone’s home that’s not going to be used but is just going to collect dust,” she said. “So we asked students to bring it to school, rolled all the coins up and donated the money to the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.”
The teen set a $400 fundraising goal, which she exceeded in just one week thanks to her church and classmates. She presented a check for $1,750 to von Alvensleben’s oncologist, Dr. Noah Federman, who accepted it on behalf of the UCLA Pediatric Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma Program.
“The donation will help to further along the efforts to develop new targeted cancer therapies for these aggressive bone and soft tissue cancers,” said Federman, an associate professor in the departments of pediatrics and orthopedics. “Jillian is clearly special and I hope that this quality that she has motivates all of those around her including myself to serve the community, to be philanthropists, and to help others in any way we can.”
Said von Alvensleben, “It’s not about me, but, I’m glad I inspired Jillian … gave her the incentive to want to do something. This is a very serious disease, and raising awareness and funds for Ewing’s Sarcoma research is just great.”
For her part, Neuner offered advice to others who want to make a difference in someone else’s life.
“Be confident and set a small goal,” Neuner said. “The community will come together and they will support your cause.”
