Hometown Hero: Elijah Alexander

Fort Worth's Elijah Alexander graduated from Dunbar High School and went on to a nine-year career in the NFL. He retired in 2001 and brought his wife, Kimberly, and their two sons to North Texas to live. He was looking forward to his life after football.

In 2005, Alexander was diagnosed with a blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma. The disease is treatable but there is no cure. Elijah Alexander was 35 years old.  Kimberly says her husband threw himself into learning all he could about the disease.

After chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, Alexander established a foundation to give financial support to cancer patients.  His widow said that he'd see kids with cancer who were trying to have fun in the hospital between treatments and he knew he had to help them.

On March 21, 2010, Alexander died from a brain aneurysm. He was 39 years old.

On February 8, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will hold its thirty-fourth annual St. Valentine's Day Luncheon and Fashion Show at North Park Center. Alexander will be recognized with the Memorial Award.

This year, almost 173,000 Americans will be diagnosed with blood cancer.  This luncheon is a major fundraiser for research. The theme is "Sculpting for a Cure" and will be held in the Center Park Garden at North Park. Fashions will be by different designers at North Park. FOX 4 is a proud sponsor. You can buy tickets at www.saintvalentinesdayluncheon.org.