Happy Alex’s Lemonade Days!
This weekend, during Alex’s Lemonade Days, 36 families across the U.S. will take a “stand” against childhood cancer as Lemonade Days Hero Reps. The 36 Lemonade Days Hero Reps symbolically represent the 36 children diagnosed with cancer every day in the United States.
Each of the 36 families has been personally impacted by childhood cancer. During Lemonade Days (June 10-12), the families will spread awareness about the ongoing childhood cancer fight by sharing their personal journeys, hosting lemonade stands and enlisting community members to host their own stands.
Childhood cancer occurs regularly, randomly and spares no ethnic group, socioeconomic class or geographic region. But, these 36 families are living proof that everyone can take a “stand” and make a difference in the fight against childhood cancer.
“Our family knows firsthand just how personal the fight against childhood cancer is,” said Liz Scott, Co-Executive Director of ALSF and Alex’s mom. “Our daughter would be honored to know that these 36 families will continue her legacy by literally taking a stand against childhood cancer and inspiring those in their community to come together toward finding cures.”
Alex’s legacy taught all of us that anyone can make a difference—one cup and one lemonade stand, at a time.
Every donation makes a difference and adds up to valuable funding for innovative research. Every $50 raised equates to 1 hour of cutting-edge research in all types of childhood cancer.
This weekend, no matter where you go, be on the look out for an Alex’s Lemonade Stand! Our 36 Hero Reps are located coast-to-coast. Meet three of these inspiring families:
Brady Williams, from Oakfield, NY, a 9-year old neuroblastoma survivor
“Brady is the best brother in the world,” says his brother, Eli. Brady Williams, diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2009, is one in a set of triplets: Cara and Eli, ages 9. They also have a younger sister, Allison age 7. The Williams family wants others to know that the impact of childhood cancer does not end when treatment ends. But Brady is optimistic saying, “Someday I will help make the world a better place!”
Lina Rak, from Portland, OR, a 16-year-old neuroblastoma survivor
Linda Rak knows a thing or two about turning lemons into lemonade. She has turned a side effect of cancer and treatment – her short stature – and turned it into a positive. She is the coxswain of her rowing team, spending 20 hours a week at the boat house! Lina has aspirations to be on the US National Rowing Team. As a family, the Raks like to travel, try new foods, experience new cultures and play with their Airedale Terrier, Duke.
Kylie Newlin, from Waxhaw, NC, a 14-year old acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivor
Colleen Newlin describes her daughter Kylie as an inspiration and says she adds sparkles to her friends and family's lives. Kylie was diagnosed at 8-years-old with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She was in treatment for two and a half years. She relapsed at age 12. She is now off treatment, back to school and starting the new phase of her life, leaving sparkles wherever she goes. As a family, the Newlins like to go to the beach, play with their dogs and go to lacrosse and baseball games.
You can meet more of our hero reps here.
This weekend, no matter where you are, no matter what you are doing, take a few minutes to stop by a lemonade stand.
Don’t forget to snap a selfie at lemonade stands this weekend! Share across social media and use #LemonadeDays. For more information on Alex’s Lemonade Days and to sign up to host a lemonade stand visit AlexsLemonadeDays.org.
