More Than a Survivor: Alexis Williams’s Journey with the YMCA
When you meet Alexis Williams, you quickly understand she’s more than a survivor. She’s a thriver, a dreamer, and a determined young woman pursuing a future in finance. But behind the smile and ambition lies a story of resilience, community, and lifelong connection to the YMCA.
Alexis’s relationship with the YMCA began in childhood. “I used to play volleyball and cheer with the Y when I was in elementary school,” she recalls. “We even did Camp on the Lake — I had a blast. That experience made me want to come back as a counselor years later.” Her time at the Y started as fun and games, but it planted roots that would grow deeper over time — especially when life got hard.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
During a routine doctor visit her sophomore year of high school, Alexis’s life took an unexpected turn. Her blood work came back abnormal, leading to a devastating diagnosis: leukemia.“At first, we thought chemo would be enough,” she says. “But the cancer came back my senior year. I had to get a bone marrow transplant, and my brother was my donor.”
During that time, Alexis was isolated in a hospital room, missing milestones like prom and graduation. It was a physically and emotionally exhausting chapter of her life. After her transplant, Alexis joined the Livestrong at the YMCA program at the Frisco Y to rebuild her strength — physically and emotionally. “I was the youngest one in the group, but I felt so connected,” she shares. “Cancer survivors just get each other in a way no one else can. It was healing to laugh and move again.”
Livestrong didn’t just restore her body — it gave her a community of support, camaraderie, and hope.
Motivated by the support she received, Alexis came back to the YMCA — this time as a counselor. She spent last summer leading Camp on the Lake and, this year, joined the preschool team at the Plano YMCA. “I love working with the kids,” she says. “It’s fun, it’s fulfilling, and it feels like giving back to the place that gave so much to me.”
The Y Scholarship: Fueling Her Future
Now a rising junior at the illustrious North Carolina A&T State University, Alexis is pursuing a double major in finance and accounting, with the help of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Foundation College Scholarship. “Out-of-state tuition is no joke,” she laughs. “The Y’s scholarship program has been such a blessing. It’s helping me stay on track to chase my dreams without putting a heavy burden on my family.”
“I’m not a survivor,” Alexis says with conviction. “I’m a thriver. I have big plans for my life, and I know the Y will help me get there.” From a child running around YMCA gyms to a resilient college student shaping her future, Alexis’s story is a powerful reminder of how the YMCA supports individuals not just at one point, but throughout every season of life.