Alexandra Flynn "Alex" Scott was diagnosed with pediatric cancer two days before her first birthday. At the young age of 4, as her health was deteriorating, Alex knew she wanted to help other children suffering from cancer. With the assistance of her older brother, she held a lemonade stand outside her family's home. Her first lemonade stand raised over $2,000. It became an annual tradition. At the young age of 8 years old, Alex passed away.
The Scott family allows Alex's legacy to live on through the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). The objective of the Foundation is: to raise money and awareness of childhood cancer causes, primarily research into new treatments and cures; encourage and educate others (especially children!); raise money for childhood cancer by holding lemonade stand events; and expediting the process of finding new cures and bringing them to children with cancer. Since Alex's first lemonade stand, the foundation has evolved into a national movement. It has raised more than $60 million, funding over 300 research projects nationally.
According to the American Cancer Society, childhood cancer rates have been rising slightly for the past few decades. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children (after accidents). About 1,350 children younger than 15 years old are expected to die from cancer in 2014. One in 330 children will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they're 20 years old. Despite those numbers, less than 5% of the federal government's total funding for cancer research is dedicated to childhood cancers each year. Childhood cancer research is vastly and consistently underfunded.
On November 2, 2014, I will be running 26.2 miles in the TCS New York City marathon. I've chosen to run in support of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). While this is not my first race, this is the most meaningful reason I've ever run. The training can be difficult and there are times it's hard to convince yourself to get out there and run, but with a cause like this you can't help but to be motivated.
This is where I need YOUR help. Any and every donation helps me get closer to my fundraising goal, but it doesn't have to stop there. Spread the word. Ask your company. Donate as a gift to someone. Donate for no reason at all. What do you get in return? Endless gratitude, a chance to make a difference, a chance to change many lives, and an opportunity to help someone experience something they didn't expect to (such as another birthday). Most importantly you will help save a child’s life. I truly appreciate your support! Thank you!
