The Runners' Spirit & the Human Spirit

It's hard to believe, but it's already been one month since the horrific Boston Marathon bombings on April 15. In the days following the attacks, Jay Scott posted a blog to the Huffington Post about the camaraderie of runners as we all tried to comprehend the events in Boston. In case you missed it, we've posted it below. It may be a departure from our regular posts focusing on childhood cancer, but captures the essence of the human spirit that is at the core of why we do what we do at Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation - helping others (in our case, kids with cancer). 

The Runners' Spirit & the Human Spirit
 By Jay Scott
Originally posted on the Huffington Post on April 16, 2013


"Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit." - Bernard Williams

Many of you may be visiting this blog for the very first time, and I hope that you will take the time to review some of the older blogs here about childhood cancer, a topic that is likely the most important in my life. However, after the events that took place in Boston on Monday I am here today writing about another of my passions -- running. I'm an avid runner for Team Lemon, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation's athletic arm, and over the course of the last 24 hours, I found myself writing these words, not knowing their purpose and whether they would find a home. The only logical place I could think was here, where I have so often shared the trials and tribulations of my life, and those that coincide with my extreme passion for running for a cause.

I am not here to speculate on what happened at the finish line, instead I am here to share what I know of the special bond that exists between runners, those who cheer them on and the clear display of heroism that is found in both. The loss of life yesterday was unfathomable, and for many of us, our natural instinct as runners is to lace up our sneakers; it's what we know how to do; one foot in front of the other, one step at a time.

Running is not something that I have always done; in fact it is something that I have only picked up within the last five years of my life. I started running because of my competitive nature, but I stuck with it because of the camaraderie that I felt with my friends and fellow runners. It's odd when you think about it, running is a sport where you spend the majority of the time in a very large crowd, yet you're alone. You're alone in your head, thinking about how many more miles you have to go, what your heart rate is, how your breathing is and of course how tired your legs are. If you've never run in a distance race, it's hard to explain, you're by yourself, but part of something so much bigger, and surrounded by this feeling of togetherness. 

I have been through several races where I have been tired and one of my fellow runners patted me on the back, handed me a banana or simply winked, giving me the strength to keep going. Then there are those who come out to cheer you on, you may know some of them, but more likely than not there are thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, that you don't. I have experienced the jolt of adrenaline when you see a familiar face in the crowd, but I have also experienced it when someone you don't recognize yells "you've got this, Jay!" There are heroes lining all of these races, not just those who crush athletic barriers, not just those who run for the causes they believe in, but those who spend their days exemplifying what it is to do for others; what it is to help others achieve their goals and overcome what they thought impossible. 

I know that this feeling of togetherness was present in Boston on Monday, and across the country as we learned of the events. Already there have been stories of heroism, of those running toward the wounded, runners continuing on to hospitals to donate blood and I'm sure that the runners who never had the chance to get to the finish line were banding together in the time of uncertainty. This is the special bond that runners have, and that truly, we as human beings all share. 

I have seen this coming together of spirit before in times of both triumph and in tragedy. In the days and weeks ahead, I'll continue running, and very soon I will join tens of thousands of people in Philadelphia for our Broad Street Run. I know it will be a difficult day, and one full of heavy hearts, but I also know that heroes will line the street that day too, embracing the runners and each other, because that's what we do, one foot in front of the other, one step at a time.

New Alex's Shirts...and more!

Wear your support for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation on your sleeve...literally! We have a bunch of new ALSF shirts for sale (or pre-order) and other new items to help kick off lemonade season. A sampling is below, but be sure to visit our online gift shop for all of our Alex's gear.  

Official 2013 ALSF Shirt - Long Sleeve ($20), Short Sleeve ($15) 

The official 2013 Alex’s Lemonade Stand t-shirt has arrived! Available in short and long sleeve, we love our “talking lemon” spreading the message of how easy it is to help in the fight against childhood cancer. Get a shirt and sign up to hold a stand during National Lemonade Days!

Alex's "Original" Lemonade Stand T-Shirt - $15 (Limited time only)

Now through May 15, the new Alex’s “Original” Lemonade Stand t-shirt is available, but only by pre-ordering it online. This shirt will not be available for sale at Alex’s “Original” Lemonade Stand on June 8, so be sure to order yours today. You can also purchase an Alex’s All Access Pass, which covers all donations for food and activities at the event and includes a limited edition t-shirt.

Alex's "Original" Lemonade Stand T-Shirt

Inaugural Million Mile Run T-Shirt - $10

We’re going the distance to fight childhood cancer, 1 million miles to be exact! To commemorate National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, ALSF is recruiting supporters to help us collectively complete 1 million miles (running or walking) over the course of the month. Learn more about how you can participate in the Million Mile Run! 

FRONT

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ALSF bucket - $10

ALSF Bucket

Make it easy for people to donate to your stand or event with the new ALSF bucket! It’s our signature yellow color with the ALSF logo on each side. We’ve also found that it’s perfect as a cooler - simply fill with ice and keep beverages cold on hot summer days!

Guest Blog: 11-year-old Nicholas tells us about the Camp In

 

Nicholas and his family setting up their tents.

Only a few weeks left until the Camp In For Kids' Cancer being held on May 18-19! We can tell you how fun this event is and all about the exclusive access to the field, players and the stadium that guests receive by attending, but our buddy Nicholas Pennock, a "camper" for the past two years, sums up the experience better than we ever could. Check out Nicholas' blog below and get your tickets! Spend the night with us at Lincoln Financial Field or if you can't sleepover, a dinner ticket ($50) grants you access to the event from 6-9pm on May 18. Additionally, if you decide to fundraise, you have the opportunity to sleep on the actual field. All proceeds benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

My Camp-In Blog
by Nicholas Pennock, age 11

My experience at the Camp-In For Kids' Cancer event was amazing.

When we arrived, we registered and met many other campers. Then we were told where our tent was, it was on the field! This was because we had raised lots of money. We set up our tents and put our things inside. Then the fun began. 

Many activities took place on the field, as well as inside the complex. There was a field goal kick, relay races and story telling. Also, there was a movie, a bouncy slide and much more. I found out I am not good at kicking field goals, but I love relay races. One of my favorite things was running through the blow-up Eagle on the entrance to the field - the same way the players come out on game day!

The Eagles staff and Alex's family do a great job running this event. I met them and many of the other teams such as "Roc-ade," the team who beat us and came in first place both years (in the fundraising contest). Also, we met the players and cheerleaders. My favorite person to meet was "Swoop," the Eagles mascot.

We ate an amazing dinner of hot dogs and hamburgers. Then settled down to watch "RV" and ate popcorn, the movie was very funny. We were in bed by 11:00. I slept well after all the playing.

Waking up in the stadium was a lot of fun. The breakfast was very tasty. I had sausage, a muffin, lemonade and then seconds! Then we ran through the little obstacle course in the corner.

Before we left, we played on the field again. Also, we got to play on a bounce slide, and then it was time to go. We packed up and left.

I believe the most important part of all of this is the cause. This is because we do this to find a cure. We do this to help kids with cancer, and to remember Alex.

Celebrating our Volunteers

It's National Volunteers Week! Here at Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, we would be lost without our volunteers. They provide us with an invaluable amount of support in our office, at events, online and everywhere in between for nothing in return. We can't say it enough, but thank you to all of our volunteers who help support the fight against childhood cancer. In fact, we recently created a video to convey how truly grateful we are for our volunteers' efforts. Also below is a blog from one of our loyal volunteers, Cathy Tullman, describing why she choose to lend her time and talent to ALSF.

Lemonade for the Soul

By Cathy Boyar Tullman

I always knew the time would come when I was no longer working full time and would be looking for the opportunity to “give back.” When that time arrived last year, there was no doubt in my mind that Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was my first choice. It was familiar to me because my daughters attended the same elementary school that Alex Scott did, though many years earlier. I was very familiar with the yellow lemonade stand! And, it was a charity to which I had previously contributed in memory of my father who died of cancer.

So, I applied to become a volunteer and I was accepted. I had no idea what to expect or what tasks I would perform, nor did I much care as long as I could make a small difference. It turned out that I was assigned to data entry. How funny, considering that computers are my deficit. I reported weekly for my volunteer job and now I am approaching my first anniversary. 

What I gained was so much more than what I gave. At the end of the day, it was satisfying to know that I made some contribution to an amazing organization, remarkable for its accomplishments and the folks steering the Foundation. As a bonus, I was surrounded by enthusiastic and friendly ALSF staffers who want to make a difference and who are immensely appreciative of my efforts. In addition, I have enjoyed spending time in a happy, energetic, cooperative environment as well meeting new people and learning about the nonprofit world. You see, the paybacks have been immense!

As a mother, I can’t think of anything more worthwhile than helping an organization whose goal it is to eradicate pediatric cancer. I promise that if you spend an hour or two at ALSF, you will be hooked also.

Interested in volunteering with ALSF? Visit our website to learn more.

Pictures worth a thousand words

Sometimes photos do a better job than words in conveying why we do what we do here at Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Case in point, learn about the journey of our one our childhood cancer heroes, Althea Hutchinson, below....

January 2004: When Althea Hutchinson was just one years old, she was diagnosed with a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), a brain tumor.

In February of 2004, Althea had the PNET removed along with her left eye and optic nerve. She completed 6 cycles of intensive chemotherapy, followed by a stem cell transplant. She had surgery to reopen her eyelid in February 2005

Althea's first lemonade stand!

Today, Althea is 10-years-old and in the fourth grade, an avid reader, is learning tae kwon do, loves swimming, mythology and her cat. She wears a prosthetic eye and is in good health. She has been through countless tests, scans, shots, drugs, side effects, hospital stays, surgeries, infections and clinics - all with a smile.

Althea Hutchinson is our hero. Kids like Althea are the driving force behind the research that your donation helps to fund at Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, so that all children with cancer have the opportunity to go to school, play sports, enjoy their pets and quite simply - be kids.