The Alex Puente Memorial Scholarship Foundation

About The Alex Puente Memorial Scholarship Fund The Alex Pete “Bo” Puente Memorial Scholarship fund was established in February 2009 in memory of my nephew who lost his battle to ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) at the age of 18 years old. Alex became very ill in January 2008 with a nagging cough and flu like symptoms. He made several trips to the doctor and was sent home numerous times with cold remedies and medications. Alex’s persistent cough had made it difficult for him to sleep throughout the night. On January 30th, 2008 Alex visited the doctor’s office. Alex explained to the doctor his symptoms and his cough had worsened over a few weeks despite medications. A series of tests revealed a large mass near his lungs that was causing the problems. The mass turned out to be malignant. It was a day that the entire family would remember forever, the day we found out, “Alex has leukemia.” A series of chemotherapy treatments, spinal taps and tests were taken throughout his illness. The day we found out Alex was diagnosed with Leukemia we were at Alex’s home. Alex’s mom asked the family to come over because she had some news about Alex. We all were informed he was going to the doctor’s for his cough/cold symptoms and were a little weary why they would not tell us over the phone. Alex was walking around the house like he normally did greeting everyone. He walked out of the room and Alex’s mother gave the family the news. All of our lives changed on that day. He was only 18 years old. We all agreed we have to stay positive and do everything in our power to beat this. Alex struggled with the effects of the treatments and could no longer attend high school. Teachers from the high school came to Alex’s home and gave him assignments so he could complete his high school year and graduate with his class of 2008. He graduated from South Grand Prairie High School as Cum Laude in May 2008 with the aspirations of attending college and pursuing a degree in business. Alex did enroll for his basic college classes at Mountain View College to pursue a degree in business. Alex became very ill and had to withdraw from his classes as his leukemia became very aggressive. Alex lost his battle to leukemia in October 2008. Alex’s display of perseverance, humility, dignity and the love we have for Alex was the driving force of establishing the scholarship fund. We established the scholarship fund in his memory to keep his dream alive and give someone the opportunity to fulfill their dream of attending college. The mission of the Alex Pete “Bo” Puente Memorial Scholarship fund is to provide financial assistance to college-bound seniors as well as those individuals attending college through yearly scholarships. The Scholarship Fund is committed to help mold our youths into sound citizens and people of character and integrity by encouraging them to continue their education after high school. Our ultimate goal is to get more young people inspired to complete their college education and obtain an advanced degree particularly in the business field. Working in conjunction with the schools, churches and parents, it is our intention to provide experiences designed to address the needs of young people. Our resources will be used to provide incentives, motivation and support that stimulate social, spiritual, academic and professional success among children in our community. To learn more about The Alex Pete "Bo" Puente Memorial Scholarship The Foundation At Dallas County Community Colleges To Apply for the Alex Pete "Bo" Puente Memorial Scholarship download: Application Scholarship Form Did you know? Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer of the white blood cells. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that the body uses to fight infections. In ALL, the bone marrow makes lots of unformed cells called blasts that normally would develop into lymphocytes. However, the blasts are abnormal. They do not develop and cannot fight infections. The number of abnormal cells (or leukemia cells) grows quickly. They crowd out the normal red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets the body needs. There are about 4,000 new cases of ALL in the United States each year. It appears most often in children younger than age 10. ALL is the most common leukemia in children. However, it can appear in people of any age — about one-third of cases are adults. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia may also be called acute lymphocytic leukemia or acute lymphoid leukemia. Signs and symptoms The symptoms a person with ALL has depend on how many normal blood cells he or she has. Symptoms also depend on how many leukemia cells there are and where they collect in the body. • Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Low numbers of red blood cells can lead to anemia -- feeling tired or weak, being short of breath and looking pale. • White blood cells fight infections. Low numbers of white blood cells can lead to fever and frequent infections that are hard to treat. • Platelets control bleeding. Low numbers of platelets can lead to cuts that heal slowly, easy bruising or bleeding and tiny red spots under the skin (petechiae). • High numbers of leukemia cells can cause pain in the bones or joints, lack of appetite, headache or vomiting. These symptoms are less common.
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About The Alex Puente Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Alex Pete “Bo” Puente Memorial Scholarship fund was established in February 2009 in memory of my nephew who lost his battle to ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) at the age of 18 years old. Alex became very ill in January 2008 with a nagging cough and flu like symptoms. He made several trips to the doctor and was sent home numerous times with cold remedies and medications. Alex’s persistent cough had made it difficult for him to sleep throughout the night.

On January 30th, 2008 Alex visited the doctor’s office. Alex explained to the doctor his symptoms and his cough had worsened over a few weeks despite medications. A series of tests revealed a large mass near his lungs that was causing the problems. The mass turned out to be malignant.

It was a day that the entire family would remember forever, the day we found out, “Alex has leukemia.”

A series of chemotherapy treatments, spinal taps and tests were taken throughout his illness. The day we found out Alex was diagnosed with Leukemia we were at Alex’s home. Alex’s mom asked the family to come over because she had some news about Alex. We all were informed he was going to the doctor’s for his cough/cold symptoms and were a little weary why they would not tell us over the phone. Alex was walking around the house like he normally did greeting everyone. He walked out of the room and Alex’s mother gave the family the news. All of our lives changed on that day. He was only 18 years old.

We all agreed we have to stay positive and do everything in our power to beat this. Alex struggled with the effects of the treatments and could no longer attend high school. Teachers from the high school came to Alex’s home and gave him assignments so he could complete his high school year and graduate with his class of 2008. He graduated from South Grand Prairie High School as Cum Laude in May 2008 with the aspirations of attending college and pursuing a degree in business. Alex did enroll for his basic college classes at Mountain View College to pursue a degree in business. Alex became very ill and had to withdraw from his classes as his leukemia became very aggressive. Alex lost his battle to leukemia in October 2008.

Alex’s display of perseverance, humility, dignity and the love we have for Alex was the driving force of establishing the scholarship fund. We established the scholarship fund in his memory to keep his dream alive and give someone the opportunity to fulfill their dream of attending college. The mission of the Alex Pete “Bo” Puente Memorial Scholarship fund is to provide financial assistance to college-bound seniors as well as those individuals attending college through yearly scholarships.

The Scholarship Fund is committed to help mold our youths into sound citizens and people of character and integrity by encouraging them to continue their education after high school. Our ultimate goal is to get more young people inspired to complete their college education and obtain an advanced degree particularly in the business field. Working in conjunction with the schools, churches and parents, it is our intention to provide experiences designed to address the needs of young people. Our resources will be used to provide incentives, motivation and support that stimulate social, spiritual, academic and professional success among children in our community.

To learn more about The Alex Pete "Bo" Puente Memorial Scholarship
The Foundation At Dallas County Community Colleges

To Apply for the Alex Pete "Bo" Puente Memorial Scholarship
download: Application Scholarship Form

Did you know?

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer of the white blood cells. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that the body uses to fight infections. In ALL, the bone marrow makes lots of unformed cells called blasts that normally would develop into lymphocytes. However, the blasts are abnormal. They do not develop and cannot fight infections. The number of abnormal cells (or leukemia cells) grows quickly. They crowd out the normal red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets the body needs.

There are about 4,000 new cases of ALL in the United States each year. It appears most often in children younger than age 10. ALL is the most common leukemia in children. However, it can appear in people of any age — about one-third of cases are adults. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia may also be called acute lymphocytic leukemia or acute lymphoid leukemia.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms a person with ALL has depend on how many normal blood cells he or she has. Symptoms also depend on how many leukemia cells there are and where they collect in the body.

• Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Low numbers of red blood cells can lead to anemia -- feeling tired or weak, being short of breath and looking pale.

• White blood cells fight infections. Low numbers of white blood cells can lead to fever and frequent infections that are hard to treat. • Platelets control bleeding. Low numbers of platelets can lead to cuts that heal slowly, easy bruising or bleeding and tiny red spots under the skin (petechiae).

• High numbers of leukemia cells can cause pain in the bones or joints, lack of appetite, headache or vomiting. These symptoms are less common.