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Love, Lexi: The family of Lexi Gordon finds healing by helping

Williams residents Dan and Elizabeth Gordon hold a photo of their daughter, Lexi, who passed away in February of complications from cancer. The Gordon’s are raising money and collecting craft supplies to donate to the Pediatric Wing of Flagstaff Medical Center in memory of Lexi. Ryan Williams/WGCN

Williams residents Dan and Elizabeth Gordon hold a photo of their daughter, Lexi, who passed away in February of complications from cancer. The Gordon’s are raising money and collecting craft supplies to donate to the Pediatric Wing of Flagstaff Medical Center in memory of Lexi. Ryan Williams/WGCN

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Lexi Gordon spent much of her short life in the oncology unit at Phoenix Children's Hospital (PCH).

The long hours were often spent alone as she bounced between caregivers and foster parents until the Gordon's came into her life.

During those months of treatments, Lexi found joy spending time with the staff and volunteers who played with her and gave her craft projects.

In their grief, Lexi's adoptive parents, Dan and Elizabeth Gordon of Williams, knew they wanted to do something to create a lasting legacy for their daughter, who developed throat cancer at the age of 18 months and died of complications Feb. 13 at the age of five.

After Lexi died, Elizabeth began volunteering at the Pediatric Unit of Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC). She also began thinking of ways to honor Lexi in a way that was fitting of her creativity and her resilience.

"I do one night in the special care nursery and the next day I go up to the pediatric floor and spend time with kids whose parents need a little break to step out or they don't have any parents in there and are alone," Elizabeth said. "It helps to heal my heart helping those kids. I absolutely love it. That's kind of where we wanted to do something in remembrance of her.

Elizabeth said Lexi loved doing crafts. She said PCH has a Child Life Specialist that would bring her a craft every day and supply volunteers to keep her company.

"She loved anything with glue, with stickers, with paint," Elizabeth said. "When Lexi was really sick, she couldn't leave the floor."

Elizabeth noticed that FMC did not have many crafting supplies mostly because of a lack of storage.

"They do have a play room that has games and toys where kids can play but for crafting they just don't have the supply," Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth and Dan decided to reach out to these other pediatric patients in a way that would reflect what Lexi loved to do and began collecting craft supplies to donate.

"We just started collecting crayons and markers and all kinds of craft items from our friends and people at the school (Williams Elementary-Middle School, where Lexi attended kindergarten)," Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth and Dan are taking the supplies and creating special craft boxes to give to the children at FMC.

"This is just something special that we can give those kids who might have to stay there a little bit longer," Elizabeth said. "Something to do so they aren't just there watching movies."

Elizabeth said it is especially hard on children to have extended stays in hospitals.

"When they can't leave their room or get out of bed, it is hard," she said. "It is hard on their spirit. Depression is really common."

Elizabeth said she and Dan plan to continue collecting craft supplies throughout the year and fill the boxes when they can. She said they are looking for donations of markers, crayons, white glue, glue sticks, paint, construction paper, drawing paper and small spiral journals.

The couple also hope to expand their donation project this fall to PCH where Lexi spent much of her time.

"So many people there know her and remember her," Elizabeth said. "After Lexi passed people contacted me and talked about her spunk and how strong she was. Everybody said she just stole your heart from the moment you met her."

The Gordons are planning to put on a toy drive to collect dolls for the hospital.

"We like to describe Lexi as a little mama," Elizabeth said. "She always wanted to take care of people. She dressed up last Halloween as a little mommy. She pushed her stroller with her baby and her little cup of Starbucks and her diaper bag. The hospital had a lot of donated toys but they didn't have any baby dolls."

Anyone interested in donating craft supplies or dolls can contact the Gordon's at only-by-grace@hotmail.com or calling (928) 890-8424.


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