Sometimes a small act of kindness goes so far that it touches your heart for an entire lifetime. Alexander Ackled-Dold still remembers the little things when he was receiving treatment for leukaemia as a child at Southlake’s pediatric oncology clinic. The teen recounted how the staff were always kind as he was in and out of hospitals for treatment, they drew smiley faces on his bandages and one volunteer even provided LEGO minifigures to the children whenever they came in for treatment.Now in Grade 12 and cancer-free, he said those actions have made a lifetime of difference and inspired him to do the same for others going through treatment today. “Whenever I would go, I just remembered the little things some of the nurses would do that would make the visit less about me going there to get a treatment,” he said.Thus, Alexander and his family launched the Southlake Superheroes donation drive in September. The campaign sought donations of LEGO figures and cash to donate to Southlake’s pediatric oncology clinic. So far, the initiative has donated 573 mini-figures and raised more than $2,575 to help provide new LEGO sets.His father, Simon Ackles-Dold, said the initiative has gone well so far, with the children loving the little figures by all counts. “There was good initial feedback, positive feedback,” he said. “A lot of the younger kids at Alex’s school were donating their old LEGO figures, so lots of teenagers were giving, which is really nice to see.”The project aims to give kids something fun to look forward to when they receive treatment, akin to what Alexander experienced when he was younger and in that situation. “It’s a good distraction for the kids when they’re there,” Ackles-Dold said.While the campaign does not donate to the children directly, since access is limited during treatment, Alexander said it was great interacting with staff there again, years after he was a patient. “It’s been a long time, and it’s been nice to give back to them and see them all happy about what I’m doing,” he said.The family hopes to be able to grow the effort and continue fundraising in the coming months. They are still collecting cash donations or donations of LEGO figures, though old LEGO sets are disallowed because of the need to sterilise whatever they donate.Interested individuals can donate by contacting the Southlake Heroes Instagram page or GoFundMe page.
