As a mom of a childhood cancer survivor and a passion for running, combining the two is a dream.  My son, Jaxon, was diagnosed at the age of 2 with Burkitt's Lymphoma. He underwent months of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries and spinal taps, many of which were treatments rated for adults because specific research had not been done for children. He has been in remission since 2015, and I have been an advocate for childhood cancer since. 

Running this marathon will be a huge challenge for me, but it is such a small challenge compared to what children with cancer go through. Being able to run the Chicago Marathon for Alex's Lemonade Stand is a dream come true; a dream I am only able to achieve with your support. 

Every day, there are almost 800 new cases of childhood cancer around the world. These numbers add up to an estimated 300,000 new cases of cancer that affect children under the age of 20 each year worldwide. And yet, childhood cancer is vastly and consistently underfunded with less than 4% of the federal government's total funding for cancer research dedicated to childhood cancers each year.

Your donations fund research that brings better treatments and cures to children with cancer. Alex's Lemonade Stand also provides emotional, financial and logistical support to childhood cancer families that makes their challenges more manageable.