Alex's Lemonade Stand

I will never forget the day my first grade teacher came into the classroom with tears in her eyes, a photo in her hand, and her heart broken in half. She told us all to get into a circle and she passed around a photo of a hairless, fair skinned, child. I was only six-years-old, so it was hard to comprehend what was going on. She told us this little boy, who was a previous student of hers, had just passed away from childhood cancer. Although I didn't exactly know what cancer was, I knew it was bad, so bad that a CHILD had to die from it.

This powerful memory has stuck with me for the last 18 years of my life and that is one of the reasons why I decided to become a member of The Lemon Society.

The Lemon Society Philadelphia Chapter, is a group of young adults who are passionate about Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), raising money and increasing awareness for childhood cancer.

"When Alex, who was diagnosed with childhood cancer just before her first birthday, was four, she told her parents she wanted to set up a front-yard lemonade stand. Her plan: to give the money to doctors to help them find a cure. Her first "Alex’s Lemonade Stand" raised an astonishing $2,000 in one day. While bravely fighting her own cancer, Alex continued to set up lemonade stands every year. As news spread of the remarkable girl so dedicated to helping other sick children, people everywhere were inspired to start their own lemonade stands—donating the proceeds to her cause."

Unfortunately Alex passed away in 2004, when she was only eight years old. However, her passion to find a cure for cancer still lives on. This story has not only touched me, but has inspired me as well. I have a blessed life and I am extremely thankful for my health. I hope that we can come together, and raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand. Every child deserves to live a healthy life!

My lemonade stand will be held on July 9, 2011 from 11am-4pm at Everhart Park in West Chester, PA.

If you are also enthusiastic about this cause and are in the Philadelphia area, you can either volunteer or come check out the stand. If you are not in the area you can Click Here to make a donation.

Please remember no donation is too little, Every PENNY counts!

Thank you and much love,
Elyssa