The Childhood Cancer Blog
The Childhood Cancer Blog
Alexandra “Alex” Scott said it best: “I think if we all work together, we can do it.”
This is ALSF’s Formula for Cures. It starts and ends with the inspiration of supporters, heroes and researchers.
Alex Scott inspired supporters everywhere to make a difference—from stand hosts to corporate partners to children to adults to researchers—each of us has a contribution to make towards cures.
To maintain our dedication to rigorous scientific review, the Crazy 8 Initiative will create a roadmap to tackle the most pressing problems facing researchers.
Each year, ALSF-funded Young Investigators gather to share their research, network and collaborate on ways to innovate their research.
Accelerating breakthrough research for hard to treat cancers like DIPG is critical. ALSF-funded researcher, Dr. Michelle Monje, recently discovered that a type of immunotherapy shows promise in the treatment of this deadly brain tumor.
Willow’s family needed to make a 1,000 mile road trip every three months for her treatment for a rare brain tumor. The ALSF Travel for Care program was able to provide her with immediate financial support to receive her treatment at a facility far from home.
There is enough publicly available disease data at the National Institute of Health to fill up several hundred Libraries of Congress and through ALSF’s investment in technology, the Childhood Cancer Data Lab is translating that data into one consistent format for researchers to access and use.
Supporters, like the Lemonettes, take a stand every day for cures. The sister duo has raised more than $15,000 since 2012.
The inspiration for all the work we do begins and ends with our supporters. Dr. Glen Samuels and his patient, Malina, worked together to identify a biomarker for Ewing sarcoma. Dr. Samuels used Malina’s donated blood sample in the lab to study what happens in the blood when a child has Ewing sarcoma.
by Trish Adkins
Starting with her very first lemonade stand, Alexandra “Alex” Scott, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) founder, sparked a movement—a movement not only to help sick kids get better and find cures for childhood cancer; but one that would inspire and call on each one of us to work together.
Over the last 13 years, childhood cancer heroes and their families, donors, volunteers, and of course, researchers have come together for one goal: cures for childhood cancer.
At ALSF, we have learned that curing childhood cancer is not just a product of... Read More
“It's simple, you see for this whole thing isn't about me. As long as kids are sick, I'll do what I can to help raise money through my lemonade stand.” - Alexandra “Alex” Scott (January 18, 1996 – August 1, 2004)
“Alex showed us that a life lived with gratitude allows you to overcome challenges – that you can truly make lemonade from lemons!” - Liz Scott, Alex’s Mom
“I could remember you as a lot of things: the lemonade girl, a childhood cancer victim, my close friend, my little sister. But none of them do you justice; you would not be you if they were not all true. More than anything else, I remember you for what you taught me. You, as a terminally ill child, were still appreciative of the blessings that you had. To me, that describes you better than any label, encapsulates your image better than any picture--it reminds me that even though you were never old in age, in some ways, you were old in wisdom. For the lessons that you taught me, I will always remember you and I will always be grateful.” -
Patrick Scott, Alex’s Brother
I can’t believe it’s been 14 years since I had the pleasure of hearing my daughter Alex’s voice, seeing her smile, and just sitting alongside her. A lot has happened since then!
When I first lost Alex, I could not imagine my life without her. Of course my three sons kept me going and gave me a reason to smile and keep moving forward. But looking back on it, I realize that even in her absence, Alex also gave me a reason to smile and keep moving forward. She left work to be done to reach her dream of a cure for all children with cancer. She also left a lifetime of lessons about... Read More
Alex Scott, with her brother Joey.
Nurses play a critical role in the life of a family affected by childhood cancer. They are medical caregivers—overseeing medication schedules, post-surgery care and coordinating therapy appointments. They help manage pain and treatment side effects. They also provide emotional support to families—supporting parents, affected children and siblings when life is at its most uncertain.
Hospice and palliative care nurses specialize in end of life care; navigating parents through uncertain and emotional territory. These nurses are the nurses so many families need, but don’t want. ... Read More
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