The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation

Thank you for all the love and support you've shown to our precious Alexa and to our family. We truly appreciate the beautiful care that has sustained us these last few weeks. Many of our family and friends have asked if they could make a donation to a charity in Alexa's honor which is incredibly kind and generous. We would be so touched if you would consider donating to The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation.

As you all know, Alexa was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer just 3 months after her 19th birthday. She suffered through three years of surgeries, endless chemos, and radiation treatments and had asked if it were possible to have a wish granted. Unfortunately, wishes granted by Make a Wish or other wish organizations only do wishes for kids younger than 18 years old. Alexa felt strongly that there was a great need for those 18-24 young adults who were battling cancer to have a wish as they endure debilitating treatments and to create happy and cherished memories with their loved ones. I can only imagine the wish Alexa would have requested...maybe a meetup with Taylor Swift if that were possible? Sadly, Alexa did not get a wish granted before she passed away but I know in my heart that she would be so happy that she played a part in creating wishes for others like her. How extraordinary if these Cancer Warriors got a chance to experience something so meaningful and well deserved.

We feel very sentimental to The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation, as it was founded by a mother who lost her son Nik to Synovial Sarcoma, the same cancer Alexa had. He was diagnosed shortly before his 18th birthday which allowed him to experience an incredible wish but when he met other young adult cancer fighters who were too old, he wanted to do something about it. He asked his mother, Kelli, the day before he passed, to do all she could to make wishes possible for 18-24 year old cancer patients. To this day, The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation has granted over 300 wishes. Please join us and consider donating to make wishes come true for these young adults. We welcome you to share this with anyone you think might like to support this cause.

No doubt Alexa will be smiling in heaven...Forever 22.

CNN Heroes 2023

Nik Ritschel was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer just before he turned 18. During this difficult time, Nik’s spirits were lifted by the wish he was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. But when Nik met other young adult cancer fighters who were too old for Make-a-Wish, he wanted to do something. The night before Nik passed, he asked his mom, Kelli, to help these young adults get their wishes. Kelli started Nik’s Wish after his death to honor her son’s last wish. Kelli has since helped grant more than 300 wishes to young adults nationwide aged 18 to 24.