Agoura family organizes concerts to help friend
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

ALL FOR ALEX- Alex Berson, who was diagnosed with nonHodgkin's lymphoma, will be the recipient of fundraisers organized by his friend Morgan Miller. The Lindero Canyon Middle School seventh graders were inseparable before Alex's illness. Now, to help Alex, Morgan and his family have organized a couple of concerts and fundraisers.

Although cancer is keeping Agoura Hills buddies Morgan Miller and Alex Berson apart, Morgan isn't letting the disease prevent him from supporting Alex, his absent Lindero Canyon Middle School friend. The seventh-grader has to stay at home these days because of nonHodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system.

To help the 12-year-old Alex, Morgan and his family organized a couple of concerts, including one being held at 8 p.m. tomorrow, Fri., Oct. 19, at the Verity Room in Canoga Park.

The lineup features The Sheds, the band Morgan and his brothers Mac, 16, and Evan, 14, and their friend Duncan Murray, 13, front. They'll be appearing with three other local bands: AOK, Morningview and The Good Cheer. Tickets will be available at the door for $10.

"To get all these local bands in such a short time is really kind of cool. They said yes right away, no questions asked," said Morgan's mom, Colleen Miller. "They're all amazing kids."

The Millers are also selling guitar pick necklaces imprinted with "Rock for Alex" for $5 each. They assemble the necklaces themselves by drilling holes in the picks, cutting the leather and crimping the ends. The proceeds from the concerts and the necklace sales will go to Alex's charity of choice, Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA. They've sold 200 necklaces so far, raising $600.

"Everyone at Lindero Canyon is wearing these necklaces. It's therapeutic to feel that you're doing something for Alex. No 12year-old should have to think about (cancer)," Colleen Miller said.

The concert and pick necklaces reflect Alex's love for music. A bass guitar player, he played in several bands and had hoped to join his school jazz band this year.

"He feels very supported by his friends who are wearing the necklaces," said Alex's mom, Tracie Berson.

Alex's lymphoma was diagnosed a few days after school began in August and he began chemotherapy in early September. While undergoing treatment his immune system is weak, so he must stay at home to avoid dangerous germs.

Alex and Morgan have been buddies since first grade at Yerba Buena Elementary School and share many interests including music, so when Alex was forced to leave school this year the two were devastated. Used to sitting in class and hanging out together the boys have only seen each other twice since Alex started treatment.

"It's kind of lifeless at school without him," Morgan said. "He's a really great friend."

In honor of Alex, whose hair has fallen out from the chemo, Morgan cut his own long "rock star" hair this week into a short crew cut.

"Alex is going through a really hard time on top of the chemo and high doses of steroids. He's a really social boy and it's hard to be isolated from your friends," his mother said.

The friendship between the Millers and the Bersons goes beyond the kids. Colleen Miller works as a business manager in Alex's dad, Steve Berson's accounting office.

"The Millers are always thinking of others, giving their time," Tracie Berson said. "I can't imagine how people get through something like this alone."

The Miller boys coordinated an earlier concert in Ventura that featured local teen bands The Braces and Spencer. The brothers miss having Alex at their house where he often jammed with them.

"Alex is like another little brother," Mac said. "We're really close in a lot of ways."

The diagnosis took the Berson family a while to uncover. Alex had had pain in his left leg for nearly a year but because it was sporadic his parents thought it was just growing pains. When the pain intensified and X-rays did not show a break, a doctor determined it was due to tendinitis.

The pain continued to come and go until this past summer when Alex's leg began to swell.

A new diagnosis of juvenile arthritis just didn't sound right to his mother. She took Alex to another doctor who ordered a bone scan and an MRI. The tests revealed a tumor wrapped around his femur, infiltrating bone, muscle and the growth plate.

After a biopsy, Alex began treatment at UCLA, where he spent a week having a port installed for chemo administration. "He has been so amazing," Berson said. "I really am in awe of him."

Alex's prognosis is good, according to his mom, and the family is grateful to the community for its support. Berson also praised the Mirman School in Los Angeles, which Alex's sister Emma attends, for its assistance and the students' purchase of necklaces.

"A big thank-you to everyone who has been so supportive, sending cards and calling. I can't express how much it means to our family and to Alex," Berson said.

To purchase a $5 "Rock for Alex" guitar pick necklace, send an e-mail to Colleen Miller at him.miller@roadrunner.net.

To make a donation in Alex's name, checks may be sent to Erica Edwards, assistant director of development, Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, 10945 Le Conte Ave., Ste. 3132, Box 951784, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1784.