September 29, 2026 — At Lost Mountain Middle School, students and staff go the extra mile to raise money to fight against childhood cancer.
For the past 18 years, they have partnered with the Rally Foundation to raise over $350,000.
This year, during the school's Rally Week, students raised more than $42,000 by dropping cash, coins, and checks into collection buckets throughout the school.
"Childhood cancer is devastating for these families, and we'll do whatever we can to help. It's just an honor to be a part of it," said Lost Mountain Principal Josh Fowler.
World Studies teacher Jennifer Dawson helped bring this cause and coordinated effort to the school nearly 20 years ago after having a personal connection to the impact childhood cancer can have on a community.
Dawson's former Lost Mountain students, Tyler and Alexa, both died in 2008 after battling different types of childhood cancer for years. Their pictures are posted on the walls right when you walk into the school as a reminder of why they continue to raise money to fight childhood cancer.
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Meet Tyler
At just 12 years old, Tyler was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. For years, he endured chemotherapy, painful procedures, and intense treatment so that he could spend more time with his friends and family. Along the way, he enjoyed sports and routinely talked Braves baseball with Mrs. Dawson. The two of them stayed in touch long after Tyler left Lost Mountain and would eventually graduate from Harrison High School. In 2008, Tyler passed away, and in those final days, Mrs. Dawson made a promise to Tyler that she would fight for better treatment and cures for childhood cancer. It's the reason why Lost Mountain continues to raise more money than any other middle school in the country for the Rally Foundation's fight against childhood cancer.
Meet Alexa
Just days after her first birthday, Alexa was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. After years of treatment, which helped her have a few years of a healthy childhood, she passed away in 2008 at just 11 years old. Mrs. Dawson and others remember Alexa for her patented smile, her love of math and reading, playing the piano, and being involved in Girl Scouts. The fundraising efforts in partnership with the Rally Foundation happening now wouldn't have been possible without Alexa and her family. Mrs. Dawson said Alexa's family introduced her to the foundation, which has led to a partnership that's helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to help families impacted by childhood cancer.
"It's really cool to know that they wanted us to use their stories. And it's a way to honor their legacies. But they've both been incredibly important and influential in my life," said Mrs. Dawson.
In total, 11 Lost Mountain students have been impacted by childhood cancer in the past 20 years.
