BEAT CANCER, WITH LEMONADE

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is all about children! It was started by a 4-year old Alexandra “Alex” Scott who had a dream to find a cure. Thousands of children around the world have joined Alex’s quest by holding lemonade stands. Alex’s very first stand was held in her front yard with the help of her parents and brothers.

About Lemonade Days:

During Lemonade Days, dedicated volunteers host thousands of Alex's Lemonade Stands across the country during the same June weekend that Alex first held her original stands. Each year, Lemonade Days raises over $1 million for childhood cancer research, with 2008 being the most successful yet, propelling ALSF to surpass the $20 million mark.

In 2009, we celebrate the 6th Annual Lemonade Days with over 10,000 volunteers at over 2,000 Alex’s Lemonade Stands coast to coast. It’s never too early to start planning - start the process now by setting a fundraising goal, creating your own fundraising webpage and registering your stand! We hope you will be a part of this inspiring event and make a difference for all children with cancer.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer is a unique childhood cancer charity for many reasons!

 

Changing Childhood Cancer, One Research Grant at a Time:   Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is unique in its approach to providing grants, having donated millions of dollars to support life saving childhood cancer research. Our goal is to partner with the staff at leading childhood cancer research and treatment facilities to identify the specific ways to make a difference for children who need advances in treatments now.

ALSF cares about the quality of life for childhood cancer patients and their families:  In addition to funding cutting edge research and making new treatments available to children with cancer, ALSF is the one of the only national charities that funds pediatric oncology nursing grants, designed to improve the quality of life and care as children battle cancer.

 

ALSF  helps provide resources for families battling cancer immediately: through the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Travel Fund, ALSF provides families with lodging and travel expenses up front, rather than requiring them to apply for reimbursement.  Additionally, our annual symposium is free and open to all families whose children battle cancer, at all stages of childhood cancer treatment.

 

One simple idea, a world of change: Alex Scott took the “simple” idea of holding a lemonade stand and combined it with the cause of childhood cancer, unknowingly becoming the catalyst for something much larger then she imagined.

 

Kids helping kids: the concept of “fighting childhood cancer, one cup at a time” has allowed people who would not usually participate in fundraising, especially children, to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer. Lemonade Stands allow children to be a part of the change. 

 

A simple but powerful lesson: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation believes that every person can make a difference in the world. Alex's Lemonade Stands have been organized by a diverse group of devoted volunteers including inner city school children, senior centers, pre-school aged children, college students and even sports enthusiasts.

 

No donation is too small: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has inspired people who would not likely donate to childhood cancer to make donations - no matter the amount.

 

Bringing Communities together: Lemonade Stands encourage charitable giving to communities and neighborhoods, making donating simple and rewarding for everyone. 

Simple Steps to Participating in Lemonade Days

because cancer did not win

Cancer did not Win by Brandi Shugart

Wild and crazy you were free like the wind;

Running to and fro and never stopping to look behind.

Life blessed you with many things and challenged 

you until the end..

You fought the hard fight and

though your earthly body is gone from here,

Your spirit now rests in the heavens above.

What cancer did not take was your peace within;

God opened your eyes and heart to Him and for that 

alone, I sing praise to Him.

I will not be sad for you this day 

because you are happy and free of lifes heavy chains.

You are singing with the heavenly choir, praises to our King.

So today the tears are for happiness because cancer did not win.

Your soul is now at rest and watching from above...

Until we meet again....Give God my love....


-Written in loving memory for Darla Kirkland-

Happy Was.......

PapAmore', Arend 'Odee' Lenderink

~ and ~ 

Maggie 'Mimi', Magdalen Nell Rose

We Never Gave Up On Each Other

I can honestly say that I've never fought harder for anything, ever, in my entire life, than when I fought for your life.  

No matter what, against all odds, defying all logic and reason, I was not going to ever give up on you.

And You Always...never, not ever, even considered, not in a billion years, not even once, not for a second, ever gave up on me.

You taught me how to believe in me, Papa. 

And I...

Will Always...

Carry You...Within Me.

For PapAmore', Arend 'Odee' Lenderink

Embrace Your "Living Years"

An important learning, and an important practice, is to be more intentional.  

Tell your loved ones what you think, now.  What kindness you can give, give it now. 

Be mindful of your mortality, and live your life like it ends with this very moment.

Each moment of our life is a precious gift.  This gift can be used in loving connection with one another.  What it can't do is be saved for later.  That understanding calls me again to the cliff.  Sometimes it's appropriate to choose transition over security, to throw yourself into the void of not knowing what comes next.  

Sometimes it's not a choice.  Sometimes circumstances - illness or death of a loved one, loss of a job or friendship - thrust you into the void.  And then it is a matter of coping so that you can survive.  Forgiveness and mindfulness in life are two tools that have served me well in a coping process, and I hope you will consider how they may help you.

To all of the people tonight facing transitions, sitting on the in-between, I wish you strength and wisdom.  Let's spend some time together supporting each other as best we know how.