Allyson Bogoski returned to the hospital last week.

This time, gastrointestinal inflammation, caused by chemotherapy, led to another extended Phoenix Children’s Hospital stay. But Bogoski still wanted to do a phone interview Sunday afternoon from her bed on the oncology floor.

The tough-minded volleyball player from Desert Edge isn’t allowing leukemia to control her life.

“Mind over matter,” Bogoski said confidently.

Despite the pain and the beginning stages of a rigorous and long treatment plan, the sophomore also is focused on raising awareness about a cancer that affects adolescents more than one might think.

Leukemia is cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues. White blood cells are infection fighters, but leukemia patients produce an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells that function improperly, according to mayoclinic.org.

Of the different types of leukemia, Bogoski is courageously battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) B-cell. Leukemia is the most common cancer in teens, accounting for almost one-third of cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.

The five-year survival rate for childhood ALL, per ACS, is 90 percent. Bogoski is determined to spike away her cancer and return to the front row of volleyball courts to show off her power.

On Wednesday, she received one of the biggest assists from her volleyball high school family, as Desert Edge dedicated its first home match of the 2024 season to Bogoski.

A poster honoring Allyson Bogoski greeted fans as they walked into Desert Edge's gym Wednesday. (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365)

“This is very special,” Desert Edge coach Tyra Tilivala said. “Allyson is literally our program child. She’s our biggest cheerleader. She always lifts everyone up to this day even while she’s fighting a battle.”

Before the match, one of Bogoski’s best friends, sophomore right side hitter Makayla Rawlings-Henry, spoke very highly of her good friend.

“You’ve always been the person we look up to, both on and off the court, and now you’re fighting the toughest battle,” said Rawlings-Henry during her pregame speech to fans and players. “But we know you’ll keep fighting with everything you’ve got. Playing without the person who made me love volleyball and pushed me to be better is hard, but your strength inspires us all.”

Makayla Rawlings-Henry honored her friend, Allyson Bogoski, before Wednesday's volleyball match against Betty Fairfax. Family members of Bogoski, standing behind Rawlings-Henry, attended the match as well. (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365). Bogoski was planning to attend Wednesday’s tribute prior to being readmitted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

But Desert Edge made sure Bogoski still took part by live streaming the matches on Facebook for her. The Scorpions capped an emotional night with a sweep of their opponent, Betty Fairfax.

Desert Edge volleyball players made sure Allyson Bogoski didn't miss Wednesday's tribute. Bogoski watched every minute from her hospital bed. (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365)

Ava Morin added the exclamation point with a blast down the middle, which was immediately followed by chants of “Ally, Ally, Ally” ringing through Desert Edge’s gym.

Off the court, Bogoski, a sophomore, is also surrounded by a devoted team.

It begins with her parents, mom Katy Nicholson, who is always ready to provide emotional support, and dad Jimmy, who makes Bogoski laugh constantly and have fun during spur of the moment outings.

“Ally has always been strong,” said Jimmy before Wednesday’s varsity match. “She has a very unique outlook on life. As her father there comes a point where I’ve raised her to the best of my ability, but you get to choose the kind of person you want to be. And I’m just so proud of the person she chooses to be every day.”

The assists for Bogoski keep rolling in.

The winner of Wednesday's 50-50 raffle donated the money to the Bogoski family. An uncle, Michael Bogoski, who owns a construction company, and his team redid Bogoski’s room at home for free.

In a show of solidarity, Allyson Bogoski shaved her grandfather Matt Nicholson's hair before he shaved her's. (Photo courtesy of Katy Nicholson)

Helping raise Bogoski's spirits as well are her younger brother Eli and three chihuahuas, Coco, Paco and Macho. Michael’s wife, Kellie, took care of Eli immediately after his sister’s cancer diagnosis.

Not going to school, at times, takes an emotional toll on Bogoski, an honors student who lives a block from her campus.

When she was in middle school, she couldn’t wait to attend Desert Edge, a campus buzzing with after school activity, and she wanted to participate. As soon as she set foot on campus, Bogoski excelled, making the school’s junior varsity volleyball team as a freshman.

But leukemia wound up clipping the social butterfly’s wings for now.

Because of the cancer, Bogoski will miss her entire sophomore school year. She is taking online classes.

“The hardest part is not being as active and social as I want to be,” she said.

Toward the end of last year is when it all started to change.

Bogoski’s trips to the school’s nurse’s office with bruising became regular.

The bruising then progressed to leg pain and fatigue. One day, while out of breath, she couldn’t stand up to wash dishes and was rushed to an urgent care with 104 fever.

The medical examiners had trouble drawing blood out of a vein. The following day, a doctor called and told Bogoski’s mom to rush her daughter to the Phoenix Children’s ER.

She was in critical condition. Bogoski’s platelet level dropped to a dangerous count (four), which can lead to bleeding even without being injured.

When her dad woke Bogoski up, she thought he was joking about having to go to the hospital. But as soon as she saw her mom at home during work hours, Bogoski knew something was wrong.

On June 4th, four doctors finally delivered the diagnosis: leukemia. The treatment plan will last three years.

Bogoski is only 15.

But her mind, heart and will are as strong as ever. Lessons she learned while playing volleyball at the Avondale Sports Center, club and high school are helping Bogoski cope.

“Your mentality matters the most,” she succinctly stated. “No negative feelings. I have to keep my mind positive.”
Like a good teammate, Bogoski also is looking out for others with similar challenges.

She’s become a role model of sorts on her hospital floor. Younger kids with cancer share their angst with Bogoski.

A young girl wasn’t eating because she was nauseous from her cancer treatment. Bogoski recommended to her parents to eat Jell-O and yogurt to help the young patient stay full.

“No kid (on this floor) should actually go through with what they have experienced,” Bogoski said. “They didn’t do anything to deserve that. They are so little and it’s hard for them to comprehend. It’s hard for them to express themselves.”

Bogoski also has her own angels, nurse Peggy and Jennifer, looking out for her at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Nurse Peggy has been by Allyson Bogoski's side during some of the Desert Edge volleyball player's most difficult moments. In this photo, Peggy is braiding Bogoski's hair to help prevent it from falling out during the early stages of chemotherapy. "This (adoloscent leukemia) needs to be talked about more," Bogoski's mom, Katy Nicholson, said. "It's no longer rare. These kids deserve more funding for research and improved treatments." (Photo courtesy of Katy Nicholson)

Her aunt, Erin Hewitt, a mental health specialist, who regularly attends Bogoski’s treatment days, also is helping watch over her. A health blog dedicated to Bogoski keeps family and friends updated on her fight.

The road ahead will be tough, but she is certainly not alone. Her family, friends and faith in God have helped bring a sense of peace, Bogoski said.

Her next cycle of chemotherapy will come from a newly approved FDA backpack that Bogoski will have for 28 days. Despite the challenges, leukemia helped prove an important point to her.

“My mind was stronger than I thought,” Bogoski said.

The cancer also taught her another valuable lesson.

“Enjoy being a kid. I was trying to grow up too fast,” she stated.

It seems like the brave young lady is on the right path to recovery.

Grandparents Brook and Jim Hewitt always try to put a smile on their grandaughter's face. In this photo, they took Allyson Bogoski on a dinner date to the Cheesecake Factory. (Photo courtesy of Katy Nicholson)