Dear Family and Friends,

On November 18, 2012 I will be participating in the Philadelphia Marathon as part of Alex's Lemonade Stand's "Team Lemon." I have two ambitious goals for this day; my first goal is to cross the finish line without sustaining any severe bodily harm. My second goal is to raise at least $1,500 for this very worthy charity. Did you know that each day 36 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer? Childhood cancer occurs regularly, randomly and spares no ethnic group, socioeconomic class, or geographic region. In the United States, the incidence of cancer among adolescents and young adults is increasing at a greater rate than any other age group, except those over 65 years. Unfortunately, childhood cancer research is greatly underfunded; only 3% of the National Cancer Institute's $4.8 billion dollar budget is allocated for research that has anything to do with pediatric cancer. That is why organizations like Alex's Lemonade Stand are so important!

A little bit about Alex Scott: When Alex, who was diagnosed with childhood cancer just before her first birthday, was four, she told her parents she wanted to set up a front-yard lemonade stand. Her plan: to give the money to doctors to help them find a cure. Her first “Alex’s Lemonade Stand”, held with the help of her older brother Patrick, raised an astonishing $2,000 in one day. While bravely fighting her own cancer, Alex continued to set up lemonade stands every year. As news spread of the remarkable girl so dedicated to helping other sick children, people everywhere were inspired to start their own lemonade stands—donating the proceeds to her cause. In 2004 when Alex passed away at the age of eight—her stand and inspiration had raised more than $1 million towards finding a cure for the disease that took her life. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was started by her parents in 2005 to continue the work that Alex began. Our mission is simple: to raise money for and awareness of childhood cancer causes—especially research into new treatments and cures—and to encourage and empower others, especially children, to get involved and make a difference for children with cancer.

I hope you will consider sponsoring me as I take on 26.2 miles in honor of the kids who fight every day. Your tax-deductible donation will help make a lasting difference in the lives of these children and their families. Feel free to check back often to see how my training and fundraising are going!

On behalf of the thousands of kids your donation will impact- THANK YOU!!!

Jennifer Houston