At Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), we are grateful every day for all the ways we are able to make lemonade by helping kids with cancer. 

From the amazing childhood cancer families who share their journeys with us, to the kids fighting cancer who inspire us, to the researchers collaborating for cures and safer treatments, and the supporters who make all this possible with their incredible generosity, our gratitude list is infinite. 

We do know that in difficult times it can be a challenge to see beauty in things, and even just one bad day can make it seem impossible to see the goodness around us. We can all use a little inspiration once in a while, so here are six stories that do just that:

1.   Our Founder, Alex Scott
Just over 20 years ago, Alex Scott held her first lemonade stand, inviting all to this amazing mission. Today, it is Alex’s legacy that drives us to keep pushing toward cures for more children — the future that Alex dreamt of for kids just like her. 

2.    Childhood cancer families like the Roberts
Megan Roberts is the mom to Declan, Brendan and Tommy, and wife to Bill. Declan was just 3 years old when he was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma; he died one year later. As active hero ambassadors for ALSF, the Roberts share their unique experience to connect with other families, trying to bring grace during hard times.

3.    Childhood cancer heroes who share their stories
Quincy was just 4 months old when he was diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), a rare type of cancer that comes with a poor prognosis. Quincy is now 4 years old. Every milestone in his young life — from first steps to first words to first days of school — has been because of a treatment that saved his life.  Kids like Quincy celebrate milestones in spite of cancer every day.

4.    Nurses, who make a difference for kids 
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. 
Jay Scott, Alex Scott’s dad and ALSF co-executive director, shares the story of one of Alex’s nurses, Nurse Gail, and her impact on the Scott family.

5.    Supporters, everywhere, who turn lemons into lemonade (and lemonade into funding for research)
Courtney Smith recalls her mom pulling her aside before the opening of her first lemonade stand at the Upper Merion Township Community Summer Concert Series and saying: “Listen, let’s be really happy if we make $100 tonight.” Courtney, who was 10 years old at the time, thought $100 would be an amazing amount to raise for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. That first stand raised $1,000 and kicked off a lifetime of getting involved and volunteering for Courtney.

6.    Researchers, who work together for one goal: cures for kids with cancer. 
Every year, more than 300,000 new cases of cancer affect children under the age of 20 worldwide. This number is most likely underreported due to many cases that go undiagnosed and a lack of comprehensive childhood cancer registries. Making a difference for these kids requires collaboration across the spectrum of stakeholders. From supporters and research advocates to the scientists and physicians working in labs and clinics, finding cures and safer treatments for children takes all of us. 

You're invited to make this holiday season ‘sweeter’ by joining Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) and Northwestern Mutual in a celebration of gratitude that helps kids with cancer!  Share a story about something or someone you're grateful for on social media and tag #MakeAlexsLemonade. Whether it is from your every day or from a difficult time, any story of gratitude helps make a difference. For every public post that uses our hashtag between November 3-25, 2021, Northwestern Mutual will donate $43 to ALSF (up to $50,000) in honor of the 43 kids diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. every day!

Follow along all month and share your story, here.