About Alex "Alexandra"
It all started with one front yard lemonade stand. When she was just four-years-old, Alex held her first childhood cancer fundraiser in her front yard and raised over $2,000. By the time of her death in 2004, Alex had raised $1 million and inspired a legacy of hope and cures for childhood cancer. Today, her work continues through Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
Although she is remembered for her lemonade stand, those of us who knew her remember her for so much more -- this is the Alex we knew and loved :
• From the beginning, Alex did things her way – she came into the world in a hurry, arriving more than a month before her due date. The doctor said that she would likely be underweight and have to stay at the hospital for a few extra days – well, she weighed in at 7 lbs. 2 oz and left the hospital 24 hours later. Looking back, we should have known right then that there was something special about Alex….
• Alex was bright and smart. She had a vast knowledge of medical terms and kept close track of her medications. She always knew the names and dosages of her medications, as many as 6-8 pills at a time. She also would often surprise us by knowing unusual facts… For example, one time she was quick to offer an accurate explanation to her older brother Patrick of what a ficus plant is.
• Alex was protective. So much so that she earned herself the nickname “mother”. Her watching over of all of us was most often accompanied by loads of advice, phrased in an adorable way “I really don’t think I would do that if I were you…” or “Do you think that is such a great idea?” or, my personal favorite, “ I’ve told you a million times not to do that!”
• Alex was determined. When her younger brother Joey was born someone sent us a baby swing. Jay was trying to put the swing together and got very frustrated because there were no directions included. When he returned to the room some time later he found Alex, with the swing put together. She said “I just need a screwdriver to tighten the screws.” She said “you should never give up, it’s never good to give up”
• Alex was funny. One of her aunts was visiting shortly before Alex died and we were trying to pick a movie to watch. Her aunt recommended a movie but then quickly said, “actually I don’t think it is a good idea”. When Alex asked her “why” she said, “Well, it is kind of depressing”. Alex immediately turned to look at her and said “trust me, I can handle depressing”.
• Alex was confident. She believed she could do anything; even it was a physical challenge for her or an obstacle to overcome. She often said that if she could just get an audition for American Idol, she could definitely make it into the top 10. She was also confident that she was capable of defending herself and others against any dangers, after all, she would say, “I know karate”.
• Alex was courageous. Despite often struggling with pain, fatigue, and other side effects, Alex rarely complained. As a matter of fact, when she ovehear people asking how she was feeling, she would usually chime in and say – “tell them I am fine. I am fine”. She showed this courage everyday, insisting that she was fine, always saying not to worry about her.
• Alex was a girl with plans –– she was looking forward to showing her baby brother Joey some of her favorite places to visit when he got older; she was looking forward to attending the first day of school alongside her big brother Patrick when she felt better. She planned on learning how to swim, cross stitch, and walk again.
• Alex was a girl with dreams – She wanted to be a world traveler and she dreamed of going to the Grand Canyon and to Paris. She dreamed of attending college but living in an apartment so she could have as many pets as she wanted; she promised her brother Eddie that, even though she wouldn’t let him live with her when they grew up as he suggested, he could visit as much as he wanted as long as he called first); She wanted to marry her prince charming and have a family, she said she might have to put her plans of becoming an astronaut on hold because she thought she would miss her kids too much on her long trips to outer space; She even dreamed of a cure for childhood cancer.
•And certainly, Alex was an inspiration – Her bravery and composure throughout her life inspired all of us to be stronger, better people. Her efforts to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer while she fought so terribly against her own cancer inspired all of us to help her cause. Her love of life inspired all of us to love our lives.
So many times we have heard people say that Alex lost her battle with cancer. We believe that this could not be farther from the truth.
Alex won her battle in so many ways … by facing her cancer everyday but still managing to be a kid; by not letting cancer take away her plans and dreams, by making the most of every day; and of course by leaving an incredible legacy of hope for a cure for other She was a hero for sure, but she was also just a little girl. A little girl that we love and miss every day.