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Boy Befriended by Dravecky Dies : Cancer: The former San Francisco Giants pitcher helped raise $100,000 for the 6-year-old leukemia victim.

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From Times Wire Services

Alex Vlahos, the 6-year-old leukemia victim befriended by former San Francisco Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky, died Wednesday.

He was unable to survive massive amounts of chemotherapy and medication that accompanied two bone marrow transplants, said a spokeswoman for the hospital where he died.

“It’s a total surprise, but it’s not uncommon,” said Susan Edmonds, the hospital spokeswoman. “He seemed to be making progress, but you can never tell because patients go through so many setbacks.”

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The Hillsborough, Calif., boy took a sudden turn for the worse after several days of apparent improvement.

The youngster died at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where he had been since last September for bone marrow transplants, said Susan Edmonds, center spokeswoman.

Huge doses of chemotherapy and medication that accompanied the transplants led to multiple organ failure and respiratory failure, Edmonds said.

“Alex’s body has been through so much,” said Alexandra Misthos, Alex’s godsister, in Pacifica, Calif. “His little body was just fighting and fighting and fighting, and the wear and tear just got to him.”

An upset Dravecky said from his home in Boardman, Ohio: “Alex was a very courageous boy. He put up a very strong fight. It’s real difficult right now.”

Dravecky, 33, who dramatically overcame a cancer operation to win two games for the San Francisco Giants before his weakened arm snapped on the mound, made a public plea for a suitable bone marrow donor for the boy last year.

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Dravecky’s efforts helped raise more than $100,000 to help pay for the boy’s medical expenses.

Dravecky was later forced to retire after breaking his arm again Oct. 9 when he was accidentally knocked down on the field during the Giants’ celebration of winning the National League pennant.

Recalling one meeting during which they played ball on a hospital lawn, Dravecky added: “I remember the look on his face when he was swinging the whiffle ball bat, telling me how Will Clark and Kevin Mitchell were his favorite Giants. I remember his smile and his energy.”

Thousands were tested as compatible bone marrow donors for the boy, but ultimately a relative was found for the operations--Linda Snowberger, 31, of New York City, a second cousin. The transplants took place Sept. 22 and Dec. 22.

The Hutchinson Cancer Center is named for another former major league pitcher and Cincinnati Reds manager, Fred Hutchinson, who died of cancer in 1964 at age 45.

Alex was about 80 days into his second 100-day transplant procedure. He was scheduled to go home around mid-April, in time for Easter, Edmonds said.

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Funeral arrangements were pending.

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