Cancer patient Alex’s uses TikTok dance routines to show the power of positivity in the face of adversity

Refusing to be brought down by cancer, Alex Piffl is bringing fun and joy to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital – with a back-up team of dancers you have to see to believe.

Alex Piffl is the TikTok dancing king of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

The inspiring 13-year-old cancer patient is bringing joy and smiles to the Michael Rice Centre with his TikTok dance routines which have roped in nurses, his oncologist, music therapist, even the hospital school principal as backing dancers.

Other teens in the centre have been inspired to follow suit, dancing some of their cares away.

With his pop moves and grooves Alex has even won a special award, the Lions Children of Courage Special Award.

It was recommended by Governor Frances Adamson after she met him during a hospital visit and was impressed by his strength and determination, and she personally presented it to Alex and his proud family.

Alex Piffl with parents Belinda and Michael, brother Thomas, and Governor Frances Adamson being presented with Lions Children of Courage Special Award. Picture: Supplied

Alex uses his TikTok dance videos as a positive distraction from his treatment. Picture: Supplied

He also has broken new ground. No patient had considered “doing a TikTok” in the centre until Alex was inspired by a US artist and asked if he could do his own.

Permissions were sought, paperwork completed, boxes ticked — and a star was born.

Every Tuesday treatment day since last September Alex has had something to look forward to as a positive distraction from his treatment.

“Sometimes I’m nauseous but then when I go to do a TikTok I don’t feel sick any more, it is a big distraction,” he said.

“It makes me feel happy and joyful. I like to brighten someone’s day while it brightens my day.”

Alex has posted a dozen videos on TikTok and has others in draft — check them out at @thatkidwithcancer1.

The Year 8 Concordia College student has been back to the college to speak to fellow students about his health journey, taking questions and speaking frankly about the challenges.

“I focused on staying positive,” he said

Asked about his advice for other young people facing significant health issues, he answered simply: “Find something you can do in hospital that you love doing.”

Mrs Piffl said the TikTok dance element to music therapy had been a godsend for her son. Picture: Heartfelt.

His mother Belinda said the dance videos have been inspirational in helping Alex cope.

“He is showing you can have fun in hospital with a fantastic team — he loves them and is keen to tell the world about how good they are,” she said.

“He does the research and rehearses for his TikToks, although I moderate them.

“Tuesday was clinic day, but with his TikToks he didn’t see it as a chore and scary, he instead embraced it.

“It brings a smile to his face and to the faces of his care team.”

Mrs Piffl noted there is play therapy for the younger patients but the teens need something more to motivate them, and adding the TikTok dance element to music therapy has been a godsend for her son.