Lemonade for Leukemia

A Family Inspires a Community by Turning Lemons into Lemonade

Ten years ago, a Westchester family received the news that they had been dreaming of; their little Katie was cancer free. When Katie Smercak of Tarrytown, NY was 5-years-old she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. After years of chemotherapy and with the support of her doctors, friends and of course, family, Katie went into remission where she has remained ever since.

Shortly after Katie’s diagnosis, her grandmother, Ferrel Porcelli and her aunt, Lael Porcelli, joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training program. Team In Training (TNT) is the world’s largest endurance sports training program and since its creation in 1988, it has helped LLS raise over $1.4 billion for blood cancer research and patient support. Then, last year, Katie turned 16-years-old (the minimum age to participate in TNT) and decided it was her turn to give back the way her family had done in her honor for so many years; and with this decision, Katie’s Crew was born. Katie’s Crew raised over $110,000 for LLS over the past year and was awarded the “Top Campaign Fundraiser Award” by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in June 2015.

Before Katie and her “Crew” became recognized on a national level, her family and friends had been inspiring the community around them for years. One of the most successful fundraisers that this family has created is Lemonade for Leukemia. Lael’s son, Cole, started this event 9 years ago. What started as a simple lemonade stand in her front yard has become an annual tradition that brings in over $5,000 in just one day.

This year, Lemonade for Leukemia will be on August 15, 2015 from noon to 4:00 pm at 38 Hobart Ave., Port Chester, NY. All are welcome to join for hot dogs, raffle prizes, desserts, L4L towels and t-shirts, and of course, a glass of lemonade.

For more information about the event please call 914-552-3746 or email Laelforacure@optimum.net.

To learn more about Team In Training and how you can join, please contact Campaign Manager, Kate Pigue, at 203-388-9177 or email Kate.Pigue@lls.org or you can visit our website at www.teamintraining.org/ctwhv.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.lls.org.