#LittleDodgerFan Alika Throws Out First Pitch Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog #LittleDodgerFan Alika Throws Out First Pitch Aug 04, 2018 Cedars-Sinai Staff Share Tweet Post Alika with her favorite Dodgers player, Yasiel Puig, who caught her first pitch. Over the weekend, 9-year-old pediatric cancer patient Alika Mallett had the time of her life when she was invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch during #LittleDodgerFan Day at Dodger Stadium. "This will be the memory of a lifetime for all of us." Alika, who is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, was joined on the field by her parents, Leah and Justin. More than 20 other family members, including her 3 siblings, watched proudly from the stands. "She's really been looking forward to this. She's had it on her calendar and she's been practicing her throw," said Chris Budge, Alika's aunt. "This will be the memory of a lifetime for all of us." Dr. Shivani Upadhyay, Dr. Fataneh Majlessipour, and Dr. Charles Simmons, all members of Alika's care team, joined her on the field as she threw the pitch to her favorite player, Yasiel Puig. "People ask how I can work in pediatric cancer. It's patients like her, that are so resilient, that make what we do so special." Alika with her parents Leah and Justin, on the field before the game. Alika throwing out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium Alika and Puig first met earlier this year, when Puig let pediatric patients from Cedars-Sinai shave his head to raise awareness for childhood cancer. Alika and her siblings were there to join in on the fun and even did some of the barbering. Alika won over the crowd at Dodger Stadium Saturday night with her infectious smile. She even got to start the game with Vin Scully's famous words: "It's time for Dodger baseball!" Read: Dodgers Superfan Elysa Throws Out First Pitch Alika, whose name means "beautiful butterfly" in Hawaiian, was first diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 2. She was airlifted from her hometown to Cedars-Sinai and underwent her first surgery the next day. Her tumor came back when she was 4, and again at 8 and 9. Now she's being treated with chemotherapy and radiation. "She's one the toughest patients I've ever seen, she never lets her situation define her," says Dr. Upadhyay. "She's very determined." Tags Pediatrics Patient Stories Los Angeles Dodgers Children's Health In Our Community Cancer Share Tweet Post Popular Categories Health + Wellness Science + Innovation Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Popular Topics In Our Community Faces of Cedars-Sinai Patient Stories Los Angeles Behind the Scenes Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Schedule a Callback Call us 24 hours a day 1-800-CEDARS-1 Support Cedars-Sinai Make a Gift Volunteer Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility