Want to Take a “Stand” Against Pediatric Cancer?

At age 4, a very determined pediatric cancer patient named Alex told a reporter that her goal for the year was to raise a $1 million dollars to help find a cure for all children with cancer.

When the reporter asked how she would do this, Alex replied with this idea: Volunteers across the country could hold lemonade stands and send in their money, which could help her reach her goal.

Although she lost her battle with cancer four years later, Alex’s words started an inspirational chain of events that reached its peak with a grassroots movement that has raised $40 million toward cancer research.

From a lemonade stand in her front yard to a foundation bearing her name, Alexandra “Alex” Scott’s legacy of hope and determination live on. In 2011, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation celebrates over 10 years fundraising cancer research -  one cup at a time.   

Now, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is calling for volunteers to register to set up lemonade fundraising stands during Lemonade Days, which are from June 10 trough June 12. Whether volunteers are elementary, middle or high students, business people or retirees, everyone is invited to sign up and participate.

Though Lemonade Days are the foundation’s special days, lemonade stands can be held any time during the year, even in winter where lemonade is often substituted with hot chocolate.

Locally, the foundation’s largest corporate sponsor, Rita’s Water Ice, offers a special water ice, Alex’s Lemonade water ice and displays a Wall of Hope during the month of June. A customer can purchase a $1 paper lemon, put their name on it and add their lemon to the Wall of Hope.

Patch met up with Gillian Kocher, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to talk about the upcoming Lemonade Days:

Patch: What and when are Lemonade Days?

Kocher: Lemonade Days are the Friday, Saturday and Sunday before Father’s Day. We have thousands of volunteers who hold lemonade stands across the country on any or all of these three days. Lemonade stands can be held any time of the year, not just on Lemonade Days.

Patch: Who can participate? Are there any age requirements?

Kocher: There are no age requirements. Alex actually held her first stand when she was four. Obviously at that age you need your parents’ help, but we have kids who hold stands with their grandparents. Even some retirement communities hold fundraising events. Sometimes, work groups do this as a fun team-building activity. It’s for anybody. Kids or kids at heart.

Patch: How else can someone donate to the foundation?

Kocher: Through our website, we have fundraising pages – a virtual lemonade stand of sorts.  People can tell their friends and family about this cause that they’re raising money for pediatric cancer and to donate to their fundraising page.  They can also just send in a donation. There’s lots of different, creative ways to get involved even if you’re not holding a lemonade stand.

Patch: What is important to get out to the public about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation?

Kocher: Raising awareness is very important. In this day and age, people can post links on their Facebook page about the foundation, tweet about it or using other social media. There’s lots of ways to really help the cause.

Patch: What are the steps required to host a lemonade stand?

Kocher: Once you decide on a date and location and you register to hold a stand, we send out a packet or box of material. Generally a banner, a voucher for lemonade, poster, tips on holding a lemonade stand, stickers – a bunch of different collateral support materials.

Within a week or two, our stand coaches get in touch with the volunteers to let them know they are there to offer support, to answer any questions or concerns.

Patch: What is the most important goal of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation?

Kocher: Cancer is the number one disease, killer of children under 15 in the U.S. We want to make a difference for other kids battling cancer. Ultimately, we’d like to put Alex’s Lemonade Stand out of business when we find all the cures and better treatments for these kids.

To learn more or register for a lemonade stand, visit www. alexslemonade.org.