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
