In just a few days, it will be September. September is the start of a new school year, a new season, and it is also Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 

Every day, 43 children are diagnosed. Every day, children who should be soaking up the last days of summer at the pool or trying on new sneakers for back-to-school, are forced to undergo painful treatments. 

These kids are much more than their cancer. They dream of big futures as astronauts and veterinarians. They make new friends at their cancer clinics and play with Legos while they wait for appointments. They get back to their soccer teams and dance classes, as soon as their doctors allow them. They laugh and giggle. Who can ever argue with the feel-good joy of watching children live the best childhood they can? 

At Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, September is also The Million Mile, a month-long virtual fitness challenge that brings together individuals and teams who log the miles they walk, run or cycle in the name of awareness and fundraising for childhood cancer research. It is a month of being together — even now when together is more a feeling than an actual reality — and uniting in one goal: 

To help finder safer treatments and cures for all children with cancer.

And this is a goal we can reach — we’ve already reached it for kids like Lakelynn, who is currently in treatment for a rare sarcoma, while living a relatively normal childhood with virtually no treatment side effects. We’ve reached it for Edie, who is cured of a neuroblastoma because of a trial funded by ALSF. We’ve reached it for Quincy, who was dying from a rare leukemia, until a test uncovered a mutation that was treatable by an experimental drug. 

We have to reach this goal for all children — and that mission is something we can all feel good about. 

There are a million reasons to go a million miles for childhood cancer. But, for today, I’ll leave you with these three:

1.    The girl with almost every princess dress: Alison
Alison has a motor that doesn’t stop running, even when she is clad in one of her princess dresses. Diagnosed at 3 years old with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Alison has a few more months of treatment to finish. Her grandfather calls her a “warrior princess,” and her entire family is inspired by her strength, energy and determination to keep running. 

2.    The boy with an amazing outlook: Frankie
Nine-year-old Frankie spent weeks this year in the hospital, battling the side effects of a rare tumor in his brain and spine.  One morning in the hospital, after over six weeks there, he woke up and told his mom, “I have an amazing life.” His dad Rich is constantly blown away by the positive attitude of his son. Frankie is always excited about life and ready to take on any challenge. 

 

 

 

 

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"This kid never ceases to amaze me. He woke this morning, after over 6 weeks now in the hospital, and as he was talking with his mother, he says, ‘I have an amazing life.’ I'm not saying he never gets scared; he does. And I'm not saying it's perfect; it sure isn't. But for this kid, this incredible kid, to have THAT attitude after all he's been through...And yet, if you know him, this doesn't surprise you at all." - @rickknowles42 Visit our link in bio to read more about childhood cancer hero Frankie.

A post shared by Alex's Lemonade (@alexslemonade) on Jun 25, 2020 at 5:44pm PDT

3.    The girl who has us: Ellie
Ellie was merely 4 months old when doctors found a mass on her right shoulder. That mass was rhabdomyosarcoma. Life would never be the same for Ellie or her parents, Tara and Mike. Ellie fought bravely, going through treatment for the initial diagnosis and relapse, all before she was even 2 years old.

While Ellie was in treatment, Tara would hold her tight and say, "I got you." Now Ellie, who is cancer-free, returns the favor, often reminding Tara: "I got you, Mommy." Today, Ellie is 5 years old. 

Run, walk, and cycle this September during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month! Turn awareness into action, by joining The Million Mile, the largest childhood cancer awareness challenge that funds researchers so they can find better treatments and more cures for kids battling cancer.

Register for The Million Mile!

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is launching a social media campaign inspired by ALSF founder, Alex Scott’s positive outlook in times of uncertainty. We want to know how you are making lemonade out of lemons during this time - whether by learning new skills, getting creative, connecting with family or friends through video chat or doing something else that puts a sweet smile on your faces! Share your special moments with us on social media using the hashtag #MakeAlexsLemonade.