Kelli Hoag says her friend Christina Anderson has turned tragedy into triumph.
"She was always so upbeat and so positive, and when I learned her story about her daughter dying, and I was just amazed at how she carried on," Hoag said.
Anderson's 13-year-old daughter died eight years ago after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Now, Anderson spends much of her time and energy raising money and awareness for cancer research.
That is why Hoag nominated her for the News 8/Ascentra Credit Union "Pay It Forward" award.
"When you face a cancer diagnosis in your family you have two choices: You can either choose to fight, especially like us when you've lost a child, a sister; (or) you can stop and not do anything. We've chosen to move forward, this is Blake's way of moving forward," said Christina.
It's been tough for 11 year old Blake, who lost his sister so young. He plans to cut and donate his hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.
"Were gonna cut it," Blake said. "They're going to make a wig out of it."
Blake also wanted to raise money for the cause, and he's doing that through Alex's Lemonade Stand, which raises money for childhood cancer research and to help families battling the disease.
"Christina inspired Blake and now Blake is inspiring all of his classmates. The whole school is getting involved," Hoag said.
The mom and son duo organized the "Be The Change" campaign at Riverdale Heights Elementary School in Bettendorf. Students are bringing in extra change and also finding ways to be the change and make a difference in other areas of their lives, which is what Anderson says it is all about.
This phase for Christina is raising money and helping others who are going through something she knows all too well. She plans to make every penny count.
Blake will cut his hair May 15th during a school assembly, and will also collect the change from his classmates for Alex's Lemonade Stand.