LEXINGTON, Ky. — About 200 people gathered Sunday morning at the University of Kentucky Arboretum for the third annual memorial walk honoring Alexandra Simpson, who died in 2022 after a decade-long battle with cancer, according to LEX18 News.

The sunrise walk unveiled a new butterfly garden dedicated to Simpson's memory at the arboretum, located at 500 Alumni Drive. The garden is now open to the public.

Simpson's mother, Melanie Simpson Conley, a former LEX18 news anchor, described her daughter as determined and passionate. "My Alexandra was a spitfire," Conley said. "She was passionate, empathetic, hardworking, and a fighter."

Conley said that despite the challenges of her daughter's three cancer battles spanning years, the family focused on living fully. "We lived hard and fast to squeeze the most out of life, no matter how long she had," she said.

The butterfly garden serves a dual purpose, honoring Simpson's memory while supporting the child life program at Golisano Children's Hospital. The program provides therapeutic services to pediatric patients undergoing treatment, including music therapy, pet therapy, and theater experiences that help children experience normalcy during their medical care.

"It's a beautiful cause," Conley said. "Not only does it remember our little girl, Alex, it focuses on the child life program at Golisano's Children's [Hospital] and child life can be music therapy, pet therapy, [or] theater. The kids get to experience a little normalcy when they're being treated."