Candid Conversation with Guest Alexis Cassidy

Hi everyone, meet Alexis. Alexis, do you remember The Office? I somehow I got an Alexa and I would go, Alexa, are you here? And I'm like, I mean Alexis, it was—

yeah, yeah.

Oh my God, sometimes I, I disappeared for some reason, but that's okay. I, uh, so tell me how, like, how are you? What, like, what is going on? You have, you have a new baby or he's maybe a year old?

Yeah, um, a year going on to in September. So my life is a bit different with everything going on. I work from home now. I'm also a new teacher. All my kids passed, by the way.

Exactly.

And how are you? What's going on with you, Adrienne?

Oh my gosh, I can't believe my phone— I'm so sorry about this. Something weirdly happened, but I'm okay. I'm really good. I miss American Cancer Society, so I'm on the Strides event because as you remember, my mom passed away the morning of the— I don't— I really am okay. I'm okay. I just— I'm excited to work. Lana is 14, so she's a little bit of work, and all is good. All is good. I'm kind of glad I'm not seeing myself, actually. Maybe weird, but you know what? We'll focus on you, and I love that.

I'm like, oh, I wish I didn't see my dad.

Alexis, I think of you and it's like a ball of energy. And could you, why don't you share your story? Because you have a very touching story of why you even started working with American Cancer Society, if you don't mind, if you don't mind.

Okay, I don't mind. So maybe like 15 years ago, my dad had passed away. We really didn't know. He never told us his diagnosis. We had really like no idea. So when he died, it was a surprise and that was colon cancer. So get your colonoscopy. And that's pretty much where, you know, cancer had affected me the first time. And then after that, of course, sometimes with death comes like the issue of money and assets. And, you know, it really divided me and my mom and life was just kind of at that point rough. And, you know, so once me and my mom seemed to connect and kind of let bygones be bygones, she was then diagnosed with breast cancer. And I was living in Albuquerque at the time and moved to Orlando to kind of just help her during treatment, be her caregiver and make sure she was taken care of. So, you know, we went to chemo, we went to radiation. So many obstacles were thrown at us around along the way. And so this is like really my first interaction with the American Cancer Society. So we are first going for wigs. My mom was like truly sad. We love her hair, you know. And so we went to the American Cancer Society. They gave her a wig. And I mean, they, they probably even broke guidelines by like continuously giving her wigs just so she could cheer up and be happy and That was just like the first thing. And I thought it was so amazing. And, you know, to see my mom smile during that, it was such a big deal. And then our car broke down. So we're not from Orlando, we're from Albuquerque. So we really had no family, no friends, just not a lot of people we could reach out to and ask for favors. So we again went to the American Cancer Society and were able to utilize their road program. And they got her to and from treatment, made sure she was able to get like her medicine and everything she needed. And then the patient navigator we were seeing also led my mom to a mechanic who fixed cars for cancer patients or, you know, other kind of sick people, even outside of cancer, but specifically cancer because his mom had passed away from breast cancer. So he fixed our car. It was a transmission too. So I mean, really the work he put in, it was amazing. And then that was pretty much that, my mom ended up passing away and I saw a temporary job for calling recruitment. And then I felt like I had to leave my job and go do that. And next thing you know, they asked if I've ever been to Tucson, I said, no, I'll go visit. And now I'm living in Tucson and work for ACS.

That is— your story, I think, just touches everyone. And all of your beautiful, beautiful sponsors and supporters. I mean, you really do a beautiful job. So what are the events that you're doing? 'Cause I know there was some changes. I talked to Trace Lynn a little bit. And so can you like update me on what the changes are?

So I oversee Climb to Conquer Cancer. This was my first year overseeing that event. So that had to be postponed right now, just with the city and just kind of figuring out when things are gonna die down. Um, so I don't have a date yet. Um, and all our Relay events had to be postponed or go virtual. So we have, um, we— this last weekend we just had our Green Valley Relay for Life, and it was an amazing event. It was virtual. Um, people put luminarias in their front yard, somebody— yeah, and it was super neat.

That's a great idea. Wow, wow, wait, so now, so now the Strides Are you doing Strides anymore? Is Tracelyn doing Strides?

I do still Strides. Sorry, I still oversee Strides. Just Climb was put into my portfolio since Tracelyn has Sierra Vista Relay and Tucson Belle. And so she, as you know, Relay, they kind of have a bunch of different events, whereas Strides is one big event. So it was kind of easier for me to take on Climb in the spring and have Strides in the fall.

Oh my God, I'm really excited to be part of the— oh, you would, you would love— I'm so sorry you can't see me. You would actually love our Strides co-chair. They are, they're really fantastic. I, you know, I think that a lot of— when you look at your like sponsors and their chairs and how lucky you are to have them, and I think that Ormond Beach where we are really is lucky to have these, uh, two people. Oh, here— oh, Alana! Alana just came in the room, but my, my camera's black so you can't see. Do you remember Alexis? Oh, you know what I remember, Alexis? Did you ever go back and do the car show again?

We did. So we were pretty— so I think when you saw it, we were pretty successful our first year. And then our second year, it was a little bit less income, but still successful. And then this year, we plan on going at it pretty much full throttle instead of like having it an event that leads into Strides. It's going to go to our Paid Road program. So as you heard earlier, that is kind of like my thing, and that's the program and service that we offer patients that I'm super passionate about. So that's how we're going to kind of allocate the funds on that. We're looking for sponsors. We are teaming up with a lot of different car clubs as well as groups. So it should be a really great year. We'll be at Port Lowell Park. They have like a lake and huge. So I'm excited.

You know, Alexis, you, you live and breathe— besides your children and your husband, you really do live and breathe American Cancer Society, you know. And Tricia does too. It's amazing that you really— you're like, I just see you, and I want people to see you and recognize that you just live and breathe it. Everything you do, every thought that comes into your head is really about ACS, isn't it?

Um, it pretty much is. I mean, it— I drive my husband nuts because it's like, we go somewhere, oh, they should support Stripes. It's like, can we not? I'm like, no, we have to, right? The owner, you know.

But that is so true about you. Oh my gosh. I, you know, and I knew every time you would walk into a door, I'm like, she'll sell them, that you'll get the business. There was never a question of that because of the things that you did. I remember meeting you at the first, uh, at the first breakfast, which is really beautiful. That was a really fantastic event. And I love that you climbed a mountain with your children just on the day that you were supposed to have it.

Oh, well, yeah, um, I just felt the need to do it, um, and, you know, I was really excited about this event, um, just because Strides, you know, is breast cancer awareness. And, um, you know, you get a lot of people who are lung cancer survivor, colon, or colon cancer survivor, ovarian, and You know, they're like, I don't really like— why does breast cancer get all the love? So I was pretty excited to put the same effort into Strides and to Climb and make it my own and add cool decorations and new things that the participants I knew were going to love. However, though, for that, I'm kind of excited because I think our next approach on that is instead of doing like a morning walk, we're going to do like an afternoon. So this way you can finish on top of the mountain and see the sunset. Because who doesn't love the orange-blue beautiful sky here in Arizona?

Holy moly, that is a brilliant twist to that. Oh my gosh, that is— if you saw my face, I'm like, I'm totally admiring, and I'm like, wow. I have a wow— think of emoji wow face. I'm like, wow.

That's okay, I'm glad I can't see you.

So Hope Lodge, I was— so you wrote the other day too. I love that you keep everyone informed too. And so is that nationwide that the Hope Lodges are now being, being used by healthcare workers?

I can speak for the South region and I can say definitely within our region, so that's like Alabama, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, but you know, at least where it has a Hope Lodge. So like I know New Mexico doesn't, Tucson doesn't have a Hope Lodge, but Phoenix does. So I can say at least the South region, and I'm pretty sure it is a national effort. But I— yeah, so it is a national. I'm sorry, I just saw it there.

So yes, I think that is fantastic. I'm coming back to the stream.

Hi! Hi!

Yeah, there's a note here saying, wow, Wednesdays and Thursdays are so busy, some overloads are expected. I'm glad it was me and not you because I want to— I love looking at your face. So now, is it— I almost wonder sometimes how crazy it is that my mom ended up passing away October 22nd, 2017. And I'll always remember the date, and I'll remember being— you said, you and Dennis said, do you want to stay or go? And I said, no, I need to stay. And then I think it was you, you said, you said, why don't you just give a high five to everyone that's coming back? And so I left that position that I was in, and I, I can't even thank you enough because I— to remember my mom and to have that experience of to be able to to just absorb myself and all the beautiful people that were taking that walk. And it wasn't easy for a lot of people. It was not easy for them to actually walk that, that mile down that area. I really like them, by the way. I really, really do. And so that— thank you for that memory. And so I don't think of my mom's, you know, passing as awful. I mean, I do think that it's— it was beautiful that I was able to be there and honor her. And, you know, again, I'm excited to do the strides here. We're starting to have our Zoom meetings. Okay. So are you doing that too?

We are. We actually have our meeting tonight. Every second Thursday of the month we meet. So we have a lot of great people this year. I know when I first came into the position, there was no Pink Panel. So now they're the Pink Panel/CLIMB Crew because Poor things, if you do something good, then you get more and now they got Climb as well. But they're really amazing. We have some people on our team, Eric Hansen, who's a survivor. We have Itza from Walmart who's really just taken our volunteers to the next level and it makes our strides so much better and more decorated. And it's, I really don't feel like pressured as much as I did. So I'm grateful for them. Some new people we have, His name's Monchai. He's from Lotus Communication Corps, and so he's working on media. So even outside of radio and TV, but like how to kind of get the American Cancer Society out there and promote all the good we're doing. We also have a new person. You probably remember him, Pat Harris from KGUN9. He is kind of helping me on the corporate end of things. And again, growing this event, making it bigger. And I'm really grateful for the people I have on my team. She might be watching. Peggy, who works with our survivors. She's like my all-time favorite human, um, well aside from kids and, you know, but she's amazing. So if you're watching, Peggy, you're awesome.

Thank you, Peggy. Shout out to Peggy. Wait, can you tell us what the Pink Panel is about? Because I don't recall. I don't remember. I remember you having it, but I don't remember what it is.

Um, so the Pink Panel is basically like the committee probably you sit on with Strides out there. Um, the only Different. So we call ourselves the Pink Panel. So they help me plan all year round recruiting teams, recruiting participants, recruiting sponsors, real men wear pink, logistics, volunteers, and just really everything it takes that I think people forget about to do an event. Also, they've kind of helped me come up with like the themes that we vote on each year. And then nobody really knows yet, but this year we're going to have— our votes are down to Egypt. Candyland, um, holidays, and then the last one was— oh, why can't I remember? But those three for sure.

I'm so impressed with what you do. It's, it's— you really do. So that— so what are— so what are the hobbies that you see? Have a new baby, or, um, wait, no, oh my gosh, she's already 2 years old.

Newish. Yeah.

Wow, I can't believe it. So, I mean, like, time really does fly. And so And so how is it being a— like, so you got your boy and girl because you're blessed and you are just that lucky of a person to get a boy and girl. Like, perfect, the girl first and the boy. I think that's beautiful. And then what is it like? Tell me a little bit about him.

Um, he is totally adorable. Um, he, you know, a happy-go-lucky baby. He's also mean, very demanding. Um, Um, but it's great, you know, and I was a little bit worried because Ariel was a bit spoiled. She was my only baby. Um, so I was kind of nervous about how she would take it. Um, she's actually like the best big sister. Um, she's always helping. She just gives him lots of love. So it's pretty amazing. I gotta say I'm lucky.

Oh my gosh, I love your husband too. Uh, Ariel looks like a princess. Looking at her, I was like, wait, she actually is a mini you. It's— I love it. As she— so I wonder if she remembers. I don't know if she does, but I doubt it because of the— when I left, it was— she was already 3. But I remember them doing their little— their pictures, the artwork. All the kids are so cute. I love them all. Oh my gosh. And so tell me a little bit more. Tell me about— so now, are you still where you used to live in Tucson, or did you move after you had the baby?

Um, we're still in Tucson. Um, we've upgraded our house. Um, So we're at least in a bigger space. Um, we're just kind of determining if Tucson's our final destination or where we want to go in life. Um, he's from Guam originally, and he's lived in Hawaii after that, so probably somewhere with the beach.

Oh, that makes sense. Yeah, it is kind of nice living in Daytona Beach, but I, I miss Tucson. I miss, you know, my Rudy still works there, but I miss, um, I miss the people. I miss the mountains too, but the people, the, the whole thing. Are you involved in any of the any of the networking? Do you go to Stacy's Tucson Business Networking?

I do go to Stacy's and she's definitely one of my favorites to go to just because everybody's so open. I think a lot of times you go to mixers and it's, you know, some people have their personal reasons for going and they don't really kind of care so much. And at least with Stacy, I feel everybody genuinely wants to learn about your business as well as promote theirs. And it's more of a dual benefit versus just a one-sidedness. So her mixers are great. Although I do love Tucson Hispanic Chamber. You're the one who got me and introduced me to the cafes on Monday. I love those. But I mean, I really love all mixers and just as long as time permits it, I'll try to go.

I think that's great. Who's the president of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber?

I am not quite sure as far as this year. I know last year they had a gentleman. And I don't think at the moment he's the president, so I'm not quite sure who in 2020 it is.

I tell about that cafe a lot because it's pretty brilliant. And so even to open something up to non-members and members for an hour, intertwine your, you know, like the calendar, what they do, and then, and allow that and allow everyone to have a few seconds to introduce themselves. That's why they're really the fastest growing, if not the one of the largest chambers in Arizona. And then my favorite, the Tucson GLBT. Do you go to any of their, any of their meetings?

I haven't this year. I did in 2019 and '18. As you know, with two kids, it became just a little more challenging. And then Marcos's mom, we kind of take care of her now. So my schedule has gotten a bit more busier. So as I would go to every single one, now I kind of go to at least one a month.

I think that's smart. I think that's brilliant. And I like what you said about Stacy's because I do— I'm not great with after-hours events. And so I was kind of figuring out and I thought, well, maybe because I'm not happy with the way I look. But then I'm like, but what you said too is that Stacy's events really did feel more like people were wanting to really know. It was a little different. She really does. She really has a great way of doing it. I interviewed her earlier this week and so impressed.

Oh yeah.

She's a natural connector. Like how she just will bring people together. I, I just— so much talent. So Alexa is so funny. I really— I miss The Office. I miss, um, I miss— it's funny because I would— I missed it too. I would focus, I would focus so much, and then someone would walk by and I would jump like a— like, you know, hit my head on the ceiling. I know it must be weird to not— like, you really want to go— what if you want to go— so wait, so if you wanted to go into the office and work and nobody else is there, are you not allowed or are you allowed?

Pretty much like not allowed. I was hoping we were because as you know, we have a bunch of like open desks. So I figured, you know, that would be the only way I can concentrate and get Ariel and put her in her own desk, make her do her work. So instead we came home. I like grabbed all my stuff just because I can't be on one computer screen. So that's why you see me looking everywhere.

I love it.

Yeah, so it's just a little bit different, but I at least have a good setup here. Yeah.

It's not easy. I really love talking to you. Is there anything else? Like, I'm just like, so you and I, it was so much fun. I really, that was a very special time. And I don't know if I made a mistake going into China or what it was. I laughed though, 'cause my last day I actually came in late 'cause Alana got her last HPV vaccination. I thought that was really important. But, you know, I think that I had saw China dangling and it was something that I wanted. And it was really hard to, to leave American Cancer Society because I loved— I was so proud. Like, you could really look at yourself and say, I work for American Cancer Society. And that it was just that I don't know, you can't, you can't buy that kind of, right, you know, satisfaction in your, in your work, you know. So getting paid to do something that's so brilliantly helps other people, and especially during this time when it's very difficult for cancer patients, correct? Are there a lot of groups trying to help because our treatment's being stopped, or I'm not even 100% sure.

I know a lot of different places treatment is still going, and unfortunately it's an essential, so that's just kind of the risk that I know a lot of patients have to make because it's, yeah, they, they unfortunately could get coronavirus and get that sickness, and you know, they're immune system is compromised, but at the same time, if you don't get treatment, is your tumor going to grow? You know, so it's just kind of one of those things. You got to go and expect the worst but hope for the best. And, you know, we miss you at the office, Adrienne, and your sparkly glasses and your bubbly personality. So it's definitely a little grayer without you.

Oh my God, it's so nice of you to say. I really appreciate every minute. I learned so much. Dennis was Awesome. I really, I really— how is, um, his name escaped me too.

Alex.

Yeah, I would have Alex.

Uh, duh.

How is Alex?

Um, he's good. He, he's the one who had our first, um, virtual relay in Arizona. Um, so he's doing well. I know that event was pretty successful. Um, now he has Yuma, which is a major relay. Um, and I'm pretty sure that's going virtual. I'm not exactly sure what he has planned, and I know a lot got moved out to the fall, but he's doing great. Um, Trace Lynn's great, Mary Ann's great. Um, Nora, um, she works from home now. We don't see her much, but even before everything, but she's doing amazing well and has new initiatives, and it's pretty cool.

It is really cool. You know what, I think that speaks a lot for an organization when you have people that have been there for so many years. I think that's important. One last question. So living in Tucson, I— the summers scared me. They really did, because it gets so— it gets so hot. Like, and now I could tell it's like that dry heat, which is okay. But are you— do you get like— you start getting like nervous? Like, oh my God, it's gonna summer again. It's just so darn hot. Like, what goes through your mind?

Um, definitely, like, I'm never prepared for the summer. Um, you know, I know it's getting hot right now. Um, it was kind of great a couple weeks ago because we're just getting rain like all the time, and I was loving it. I, I love humidity. I love the rain. Um, so this dryness is kind of— well, I'm a bit nervous. Um, especially like there's probably a page you see weird things you only see in Tucson, and people are sharing their rattlesnake pictures, and I'm like, oh my God. So my anxiety goes up. Like in the backyard, I was trying to pull weeds the other and saw Lizard Town freaked out. So that, that's kind of what scares me the most, are like snakes and critters and all that coming out. Um, 110 degrees, I don't think I'm ready for it.

But it is really strange. The javelinas, the day that I fell with those, they would scare— they were really scary. I'm glad that when I moved there, somehow something said to me, go on the second floor. I would not— I would not have been ever happy on the first floor. Alanis. Alan would go out and get his golf balls and they would— they were all— oh my God, he would show pictures. And at night, the coyotes— oh yeah, you live— when they eat, they're eating, you can't even make up that sound. That is like a crazy—

right?

It is.

And I, I hate to laugh because it's just there, you know, they're like enjoying whatever they're eating and they make like this snarkly sound and they like growl while they eat. So it's just um, and in Albuquerque we had coyotes too, so I'm familiar with coyotes. We don't have javelinas, um, those are a new thing for me.

They creep me out. I would say I would sleep with the window open to try to like get myself used to the sound of the coyotes because it was— at first it was exciting and then it became like gross, and then I, I wanted to just become like something that wouldn't wake me up in the middle of the night and like rocked me to my core, the whole thing. We would go out and like, you'd literally have to look around. Luckily, the javelinas stink, so you could smell them a little bit. But people here, I'll say a javelina, and they're like, it's crazy how nobody really is aware of like what's in another location. Like, yes, we have alligators, and it is true, people come here and feed the alligators and try to pet them. Like, they're really— but like, just understanding. And then when I watch what's going on, like The mountain lions and the bobcats. Wow. A lot of school got like lockdown like 4 times because of the bobcats. All around the world, all these lockdowns with guns and all the kind of craziness. And Alana, I'm getting called, there's a bobcat and your child's school is locked down.

I would be very grateful to get that call over something worse though. I mean, I— so true.

Oh, I miss you. Tell everyone thank you. Thank you for talking to me. Thank you for giving me an update on what you're doing. And it's nice too because as we're doing something in Ormond Beach, they may want to call you for some ideas. And I know there's a lot of sharing and information, but actually hearing it from someone, what is going on, that's— I think that really makes a big difference. And I'm glad to be on the committee because I, I really didn't— I mean, I helped you, but I didn't really know what I was doing. So, so, but that's really great. So I appreciate you. I love you. And just say hello to everyone and have a great rest of the day. And you look absolutely beautiful, Alexis.

You do as well. Always do.

You always do.

Bye-bye.

Thank you. This is a good program.