From the Stable to Stepping Out!

You're invited! We are gearing up for our annual fashion show to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 2012 Equestrian of the Year Competition. More information coming soon!

Alex's Lemonade Stand

Soon after Nancy and I decided to make Our Good News Network, I came across an article about Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. The story about Alexandra Scott, the founder, astonished me. Before telling you about the foundation, you must first meet Alex:

"Shortly before her first birthday, Alex was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer. On her first birthday, the doctors informed Alex's parents that if she beat her cancer it was doubtful that she would ever walk again. Just two weeks later, Alex slightly moved her leg at her parents' request to kick. This was the first indication of who she would turn out to be - a determined, courageous, confident and inspiring child with big dreams and big accomplishments. By her second birthday, Alex was crawling and able to stand up with leg braces. She worked hard to gain strength and to learn how to walk. She appeared to be beating the odds, until the shattering discovery within the next year that her tumors had started growing again. In the year 2000, the day after her fourth birthday, Alex received a stem cell transplant and informed her mother, "when I get out of the hospital I want to have a lemonade stand." She said she wanted to give the money to doctors to allow them to "help other kids, like they helped me." True to her word, she held her first lemonade stand later that year and raised an amazing $2,000 for 'her hospital.'

While bravely battling her own cancer, Alex continued to hold yearly lemonade stands in her front yard to benefit childhood cancer research. News spread of the remarkable sick child dedicated to helping other sick children. People from all over the world, moved by her story, held their own lemonade stands and donated the proceeds to Alex and her cause.

In August of 2004, Alex passed away at the age of 8, knowing that, with the help of others, she had raised over $1 million to help find a cure for the disease that took her life. Alex's family - including brothers Patrick, Eddie, and Joey - and supporters around the world are committed to continuing her inspiring legacy through Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation."

Full Name- Alexandra Flynn Scott

Birthday- January 18, 1996

I'm Alex, I'm 8 years old. I have Neuroblastoma and I raise money for pediatric cancer research with the help of other kids and grown ups through my lemonade stand. I give the money I raise to research to find cures for pediatric cancers.

Who do I live with?
My parents, my brother Patrick, my brother Eddie, my brother Joey, my dog Shammy, and my cute kitten Herbert.

Where do I live?
I live in Pennsylvania, right down the street from Philadelphia.

Favorite Colors - Blue and Purple

Favorite Animal - Penguin

School - 2nd Grade

Favorite part of school - Everything

Favorite Food - French Fries

Favorite Book - Junie B. Jones Series and The Little House on The Prairie Books

Favorite Movie - Scooby Doo

Favorite TV Show - Pokemon and American Idol

What I want to be when I grow up - Fashion Designer

Favorite Activity - Making stuff and designing clothes

Place I most want to visit - France

Favorite Sport - Soccer

Alex's legacy has lived on and since the founding in 2000, they have raised more than $30 million. The money raised goes towards research projects, travel programs to help support families of children receiving treatment, and developing resources to help people everywhere affected by childhood cancer. This year's annual lemonade day was the tenth anniversary of Alex's first stand. Families around the country participate, setting up their own lemonade stands for the weekend and donate all of the proceeds.

To learn more, make a donation, or set up your own stand, visit www.alexslemonade.org!

-Ariel

Our Inspiration

The story that inspired us to start this project is something we read on Yahoo in March! It was such a beautiful story we told everyone we know about it. We were so excited that such a wonderful thing happened to such fabulous people that were just trying to do something to help people. What was even more fun is that when people found out about it. People like you, you stepped up to the plate and did something. In the end this wonderful lady was able to raise over $100,000 for two sadly necessary foundations : Keep a Breast Foundation and Boarding for Breast Cancer.
The story is about Jodie Nelson a 34 year old professional surfer who stand up paddle boarded from Santa Catalina Island to Dana Point. Jodie Nelson did this 39.8 mile paddle in 9 hours to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. The inspiration for her trek was her best friend Angela Robinson who is battling breast cancer presently. Jodie said that what she did could not be compared to the difficult fight of cancer patients, but she wanted to do something to inspire her to keep fighting.
What happened during Jodie's trek was a miracle. A 30 foot Menke whale, Jodie fondly named "Larry" joined her for two hours of her trip. He not only swam beside her, but played with her, blew bubbles at her and swam under her paddle board. These kind of encounters with the shy Menke whale are practically unheard of.
Larry took her mind off the task for two magical hours, but her mind never strayed from the cause. "I can't even begin to compare what I did to what cancer patients are going through," she said. "But I wanted to put myself out there in a dangerous and scary, overwhelming situation; something that was big and just to show people that you can win that battle with that big, scary thing called cancer.
Before Jodie started her trek she had raised $9000 for her foundations, already a great contribution. However, because of "Larry" and the extra exposure she was able to get because of his participation she has raised over $100,000!!!
You can find the fantastic story on www.paddlewithpurpose.com as well as make a donation and follow Jodie into her next adventure.
Thank you for tuning in!

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