When Alex Edwards arrived in Washington, D.C., to attend George Washington University, he carried the same dreams as many young college students: to study hard, graduate, and launch a meaningful career. Majoring in political communication, Alex was driven by a desire to make a difference in the world. But what he didn’t expect was that, at just 21 years old, he would face a diagnosis that would completely alter the course of his young life—one that would test his strength, reshape his priorities, and ultimately lead him to become a passionate advocate for brain tumor research.

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The Diagnosis That Changed Everything

In December 2021, Alex began experiencing severe, unrelenting headaches every day. At first, he shrugged them off, convinced they were just stress or fatigue—typical for a college student balancing studies and social life. But the headaches grew worse, relentless and pounding. Then came the vision problems. One day, while out for a run, he noticed something terrifying: he couldn’t see out of the corner of his left eye. Nights were worse, as he woke repeatedly in sharp, excruciating pain.

By February 2022, Alex knew something was terribly wrong. A visit to his primary care doctor quickly escalated into an urgent MRI scan. The results were shocking: a sizable brain tumor blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, causing dangerous pressure inside his skull. Within days, his parents flew across the country from San Francisco to stand by his side as he met with a neurosurgeon.

Surgeons moved quickly, creating a shunt to relieve the pressure. Almost immediately, Alex’s headaches lessened and his vision began to clear. But a further test delivered even more unexpected news: pathology confirmed he had a pineal germinoma, a rare brain tumor that had likely been lying dormant since birth, like a ticking time bomb waiting to be discovered.

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Life Turned Upside Down

In the days that followed, Alex’s world shifted drastically. He was admitted to a pediatric cancer ward—suddenly a patient instead of a student. Infusion chemotherapy began, and with it, a confrontation with a reality he hadn’t imagined. Doctors recommended that he take a break from school, but Alex, stubborn and hopeful, pushed forward. He attended classes whenever his strength allowed and kept an open dialogue with his professors.

“I thought I could just power through everything—treatment, school, life,” Alex recalls. “But cancer teaches you a different lesson. You have to learn to be kind to yourself.”

The treatment took a toll. Brain fog settled in—a thick, dull cloud that made focusing on assignments a challenge. Reading even a single page became overwhelming. Yet, despite the difficulties, Alex held on to one goal: to walk across the stage with his graduating class. Thanks to the support of his university and professors, he did just that in May, proudly donning his cap and gown, a symbol of both academic achievement and personal triumph.

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Chemo, Radiation, and the Long Road of Recovery

Alex endured four cycles of chemotherapy—each three-day infusion followed by weeks of recovery. The treatments wore him down, draining his energy until exhaustion felt like it had seeped “into his bones.” Following chemo, radiation therapy further tested his endurance, intensifying fatigue and leaving effects that lingered well after treatment concluded in July 2022.

Doctors traced much of Alex’s ongoing exhaustion to hormonal imbalances caused by radiation affecting critical glands in his brain. A meeting with an endocrinologist finally brought answers and treatment options, but the experience was a sobering reminder: surviving cancer is not simply about beating the disease—it’s about managing the long-term challenges that follow.

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Finding His Voice in Advocacy

Today, Alex is in remission. He has completed his degree and launched a promising career in public affairs. Yet, cancer remains a part of his life—not as a shadow, but as a motivator. His experience propelled him into advocacy, driven to improve outcomes for others facing brain tumors.

He has shared his story directly with congressional staffers during “Advocate From Your State” events, using his political communication background to highlight a vital truth: brain tumors can strike anyone, at any time.

Currently, Alex is championing the BRAIN Act, a crucial piece of legislation aimed at expanding research funding, enhancing treatment options, and improving survivorship care for brain tumor patients. For Alex, this fight is deeply personal. “When I went into remission, my oncologist told me I had a good chance to live a long and happy life—fingers crossed,” he says. “The BRAIN Act could help give many more patients that same chance.”

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A Survivor’s Perspective

Alex’s journey has been marked by resilience, determination, and a sense of purpose beyond himself. He recognizes that his story is fortunate—many brain tumor patients face more aggressive diagnoses and tougher battles. That knowledge fuels his advocacy and reminds him of the responsibility survivors carry.

Now living in Washington, D.C., working in communications, Alex carries with him invaluable lessons about the importance of community support, self-compassion, and persistent action.

His story is a testament not only to advances in medical science but also to the extraordinary capacity of the human spirit to turn hardship into hope. Alex Edwards is not just a survivor; he is a powerful voice for change, dedicated to ensuring that others with brain cancer have the opportunity to live long, fulfilling lives after diagnosis.