The Childhood Cancer Blog

The Childhood Cancer Blog

Welcome to The Childhood Cancer Blog
from Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation!

  • Left, Cameron with his two sons. Right, Cameron as a boy with his dad Stewart.
  • "Becoming a father is momentous for any man. For me, it’s made me understand more of what my own father went through when I was sick," said Cameron.
  • " I cherish and adore every moment I get to spend with my boys and my wife," said Cameron.

When I was 13 months old, I was diagnosed with a “one in a million” liver cancer called hepatoblastoma. By the time I was 2 years old I had endured 15 rounds of chemotherapy and three surgeries, including an 80% liver resection. 

Throughout my childhood, the side effects of cancer and its treatment put up roadblocks for me. I still continue to follow up every year with heart studies and bloodwork. I had to wear hearing aids because of chemotherapy treatment. I was limited to non-contact sports but always dreamed of playing football. My doctor always said no, but finally cleared me... Read More

  • Ben Cartafalsa, Dad to childhood cancer hero Ryan and SuperSibs Emily and Meghan, husband to Trish 
    Ben Cartafalsa, Dad to childhood cancer hero Ryan and SuperSibs Emily and Meghan, husband to Trish 
  • Paul Matz, Dad to childhood cancer hero Ellie and SuperSibs Rebecca and Lillah, husband to Miriam
    Paul Matz, Dad to childhood cancer hero Ellie and SuperSibs Rebecca and Lillah, husband to Miriam
  • Tony Salerno, Dad to childhood cancer hero Tony and SuperSib Samantha
    Tony Salerno, Dad to childhood cancer hero Tony and SuperSib Samantha
  • Jay Scott, Dad to ALSF founder and childhood cancer hero Alex and SuperSibs Patrick, Eddie and Joey
    Jay Scott, Dad to ALSF founder and childhood cancer hero Alex and SuperSibs Patrick, Eddie and Joey
  • Cas Banaszek, Dad to childhood cancer hero C.J. and SuperSib Gabby
    Cas Banaszek, Dad to childhood cancer hero C.J. and SuperSib Gabby
  • Bill Roberts, Dad to childhood cancer hero Declan and SuperSibs Brendan and Tommy
    Bill Roberts, Dad to childhood cancer hero Declan and SuperSibs Brendan and Tommy
  • Scott Littlefield, Dad to childhood cancer hero Lucille and SuperSibs Estella, Mara, and Olive
    Scott Littlefield, Dad to childhood cancer hero Lucille and SuperSibs Estella, Mara, and Olive
  • Rod McKee, Dad to childhood cancer hero Jake and SuperSib Kiana
    Rod McKee, Dad to childhood cancer hero Jake and SuperSib Kiana
  • Steve Cassabria, Dad to childhood cancer hero Nico, SuperSibs Sophia, Ava and Nina, husband to Stephanie
    Steve Cassabria, Dad to childhood cancer hero Nico, SuperSibs Sophia, Ava and Nina, husband to Stephanie
  • Jim Butler, Dad to childhood cancer hero Jimmy and SuperSibs Cass and Chris
    Jim Butler, Dad to childhood cancer hero Jimmy and SuperSibs Cass and Chris
  • Nick Butkus, Dad to childhood cancer hero Jaxson and SuperSibs Domnick and Joey
    Nick Butkus, Dad to childhood cancer hero Jaxson and SuperSibs Domnick and Joey
  • Mike Adkins, Dad to childhood cancer hero Lily and SuperSibs Chloe and Nicholas
    Mike Adkins, Dad to childhood cancer hero Lily and SuperSibs Chloe and Nicholas
  • Mike Markham, Dad is childhood cancer hero Lakelynn
    Mike Markham, Dad is childhood cancer hero Lakelynn
  • Bill Fitzgerald. Dad to childhood cancer hero Cole and SuperSibs Maeve and Maggie, Husband to Keren
    Bill Fitzgerald. Dad to childhood cancer hero Cole and SuperSibs Maeve and Maggie, Husband to Keren
  • Rick Knowles, Dad to childhood cancer hero Frankie and SuperSib Brooklyn 
    Rick Knowles, Dad to childhood cancer hero Frankie and SuperSib Brooklyn 
  • Britt Talley, Dad to childhood cancer hero Elijah and SuperSib Hannah, Husband to Dawn
    Britt Talley, Dad to childhood cancer hero Elijah and SuperSib Hannah, Husband to Dawn

Sometimes, I think Dads don’t get the credit they deserve. You cannot ever discount the therapeutic power of Dad jokes or how it seems like they can lift absolutely anything, no matter how heavy. Childhood cancer Dads do a lot of heavy lifting. They show up at clinic appointments. They work endlessly to provide for their families. They advocate and show up at meetings at school. They build backyard forts and lemonade stands. 

My own husband is the one who worked endlessly to teach our daughter, Lily, to walk after she had a brain tumor when she was 14 months old. Mike took Lily and... Read More

  • alex painting stand
    Alex painting her stand in 2004.
  • alex and mom, liz
    Liz and Alex at Alex's Original in 2004.
  • community at alex's "original"
    Since the beginning, the community always came out for Alex.
  • alex and father jay
    Alex with her Dad, Jay.
  • alex at stand
    No one knew that Alex's first stand would kick off a movement to cure childhood cancer.

This weekend, we should have been holding our stand in Alex's memory in our neighborhood. 

For 20 years, this has been our annual family tradition. Of course, the first year, in 2000, we did not know it would be our annual tradition, or that her little front yard stand would become her legacy -- one that has raised more than $250 million to find a cure for other kids with cancer. 

There was so much we did not know then: like how many more years Alex would fight; that her treatment would take our family to Philadelphia where we would raise our kids; that her story would... Read More

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