Hey everyone! Welcome to my virtual Alex's Lemonade Stand. This organization started when a young girl named Alex with terminal cancer decided to host a lemonade stand to raise money for research. It blew up into one of the most responsible and comprehensive fundraising organizations out there! Please take a moment to read about why I am hosting this stand, and what we hope to accomplish together!
 

WHAT ARE YOU RAISING MONEY FOR?
A lot of money and time goes into adult cancer research, but childhood cancer is relatively underfunded and overlooked. It is rare, but absolutely devastating. Research is needed to study the causes and find better, more effective treatments that are more tolerable for fragile, young bodies. In addition, we can provide resources for child life counseling, sibling counseling, and support for parents who need to be there 24-7 with their little fighters.

WHY AM I HOSTING THIS STAND?
Specifically, I am here in honor of Jay Ryon, an 8 year old boy who is fighting leukemia - and winning! You can follow his progress on Facebook by visiting the Team Jay page. However, the issue of childhood cancer has had an impact on me since I was very young. I have ve spent a good amount of time in hospitals. As a kid - going in and out for years of evaluations and tests to get to the bottom of a rare digestive disorder - and later, as an adult, working as a therapist in a pediatric outpatient clinic and as a receptionist in the Pediatric ICU. I have seen far too many bald-headed kiddos going through chemo, scared about the next needle stick or major surgery, but ultimately through it all - just trying to be kids.

WHY IS THIS CALLED THE GROW-UP FUND?
Childhood is a special time in our lives, and it breaks my heart to think of the many years these children are losing - or worse, when a young life is cut short. I was stricken by the story of an 11 year old who, while in his final weeks of life, said to his mother, Im not going to grow up to be anything. But with your help - that child, and others like him, can grow up to be inspirations for our action. Its not just about giving kids the opportunity to experience the full life they deserve, but also - about each of us taking the initiative to rise up on their behalf.
 

CAN WE REALLY HELP?
Yes! This does NOT have to be a sad story. It is a story of hope, of strength, and love. We are a nation filled with intelligent, highly motivated people. We can crack this mystery, right? With our help, these kids will have an opportunity to grow up... not just as survivors, but also as warriors!
 

HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?
Chances are you have a monthly entertainment budget that you can carve an empowerment budget out of. Spare a week of Starbucks coffee and buy $50 worth of Lemonade from Alex. Or - contribute a monthly recurring donation of $100 by skipping a weekend or 2 of dining out. The costs of research are great, but not overwhelming. It may cost $2000 to fund a week of research, but if 200 people can spare $10 a week, we can fund one clinic for a year! That is goal of OUR stand. Whether 200 people, 20 or 2000 join us...and see if we can fund one year of research by raising $104,000 together.