Why St. Jude's Mission Is Personal for Pathways Director Alesha Benkert

Every morning, Alesha Benkert is greeted by children excited to see her—children whose names, milestones, and daily moments she has come to know by heart. She spends her days helping them build a strong foundation so they can embrace a future their families dream about.

It’s a life she nearly didn’t have the chance to enjoy.

When Alesha was just 11 months old, doctors discovered a tumor growing on her spine after she suddenly lost the ability to move from the waist down. She was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that develops from immature nerve cells. 

The outlook was difficult. "At first, they gave me just a 17% chance of survival," Alesha says.

Her family was sent to Detroit Children’s Hospital, known today as the Children's Hospital of Michigan, where she underwent surgery and chemotherapy. Through the hospital’s connection to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Alesha’s care was linked to a broader mission to advance research, improve treatment, and support families facing childhood cancer.

When the cancer returned soon after, she faced another surgery, more treatment, and months of recovery before finally entering remission.

Today, more than 30 years later, she is still cancer-free. Alesha’s story isn't just about surviving cancer. It's about everything survival made possible.

A gift she will never forget

Childhood cancer affected her entire family. The support they received through the hospital network and programs connected to organizations like St. Jude made all the difference.

"They were able to help provide support for my parents as well," Alesha says. "They were young at the time, and that support mattered."

Treatments and chemotherapy brought long-term health challenges to overcome, including a heart condition and struggles with infertility. Despite it all, Alesha remains focused on gratitude.

"I really thank the hospital and the doctors who helped me and gave me that chance,” she says. “Everything is good now. I have two healthy little boys!”

Finding purpose in her career

Alesha has spent nearly 17 years in early childhood education, working her way up from infant teacher to school leader. Today, she serves as director of Pathways Learning Academy at NorthPoint Church in Johnston, Iowa—a role that combines her lifelong love of children and her desire to support families.

"I've always had a passion for children, but I definitely wanted a career where I was able to make a difference in children's lives and where I was able to bring them joy," she shares.

Her own childhood included long stretches of uncertainty and fewer experiences that others often take for granted. "My childhood consisted of being in the hospital all the time and not being able to go on vacations like other families."

Today, she finds joy in helping children experience the growth, connection, and everyday moments that make early childhood so special.

"I love coming in and having them say my name and know who I am. Being able to see them grow and move up within the school is really rewarding to me."

Why giving back matters

For families preparing to take part in this year’s St. Jude fundraising campaign across our Learning Care schools, Alesha’s story is a reminder that every donation is connected to a real child, a real family, and a future that might not otherwise be possible. “Cancer research is very important.”

Alesha has supported St. Jude for years through personal donations and fundraising efforts. That’s why Learning Care’s partnership with St. Jude carries important meaning. For her, it brings the mission into the school community she leads every day.

"It makes me really happy," she reflects. "Most of the time, it’s just me trying to get people to donate or donating myself. This time, I get to have my whole school participate and share my story with my families here."

She understands firsthand what donor support makes possible.

“Even the smallest amount will help in some way, whether it’s providing a meal or transportation or a stay,” Alesha says. “It’s not always about the medical side of things. It’s also about the family side of things."

As our schools prepare to host a Trike-A-Thon, Alesha hopes families see that their support reaches real children and families facing some of the hardest moments of their lives.

"When an adult has cancer, that's one thing,” she says. “But for a child to have cancer is just at a whole different level."

For her, that’s what makes every act of support so impactful. "You’re actually donating to specific families and for specific financial reasons.”

For Alesha, supporting St. Jude is also about optimism. The kind her family held onto when she was given a low chance of survival, and the kind she wants other families to feel today.

"I want to share my story and let them know that I’m a survivor to give them hope," she says.

Help more children get a second chance

Before her first birthday, Alesha's future hung in the balance. Today, she's a school leader, mother of two, and childhood cancer survivor who has spent her career helping children thrive.

Her story is a powerful reminder of what's possible when families have access to lifesaving care, groundbreaking research, and the support they need to keep going—not just through treatment, but through the everyday challenges that come with it.

"Every child deserves a positive childhood," Alesha says.

Together, we can help more children experience the promising future they deserve.

To learn more about St. Jude and fundraising efforts, click here.