Three-time cancer survivor from Methuen inspires others

Allison Hawkes, a three-time cancer survivor from Methuen, has become a source of inspiration for others.

Despite enduring more in her 18 years than most of other people of her age, the 18-year-old Methuen High School senior is an active athlete and co-chair of the city's Relay for Life Event.

Allison was just six-year-old when she was diagnosed with a stage four neuroblastoma tumor. She had to undergo a big operation to get her tumor and one of her kidneys removed.

Around three and a half years later doctors found more cancer cells in her body during a regular scan. At the age of 11, she had to undergo severe treatments once again.

Five years later, doctors again discovered a tiny cancer cells in her hip. She fought again and beat it.

Allison said she never lost hope during any of her three bouts with cancer.

She has been participating in Methuen's Relay for Life since her freshman year. Speaking on the topic, she says, "Once we got to relay it was so inspiring and the event itself was just so amazing and powerful and I wanted to go back and do it the next year."

Hawkes says she has plans to join Wheelock College in the fall where she will keep on involving herself in Relay for Life.

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