Funding Research and Building Relationships

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is not only dedicated to finding a cure for all childhood cancers, but in the process we work directly with many of the doctors, researchers and nurses to make sure we are helping to meet their needs along the way. We fund their research toward a cure, but we also take the time to listen to them, which in turn allows us to help them in ways we may not have otherwise been aware of. We had a unique opportunity this week in Washington, DC to bring many of these researchers together, and next week we will bring many pediatric oncology nurses together to help them on their journey as they help us on ours.

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 101st Annual Meeting, which brings together cancer researchers, health professionals, and cancer survivors and advocates, took place in Washington, DC, from April 17-22. As you would imagine, many of our grantees were there, and we thought what better time to get them all together over dinner. Over 30 grantees, reviewers, mentors, mentees and even one proud dad came together to share a meal; which allowed them time to discuss what they have been working on, share their ideas, and really just to kick back and relax with their peers. We should also mention another quick tie-in, the dinner was held at Café Atlantico, which has been the home to Chef Katsuya Fukushima, a participant in the annual Great Chefs Event.



Up next is another event that will bring together some very important people in the childhood cancer world – our first Nurse Researcher Workshop. The free two-day event will take place on Monday, April 26 & Tuesday, April 27, bringing nurses from all corners of the country and Canada to Philadelphia. The workshop is dedicated to Pat Brophy, a pediatric oncology nurse who made a big difference in Alex’s life while she was undergoing treatment. In her honor, this event is designed to cultivate the skills of the novice nurse researcher and prepare them for a career helping children with cancer.

Doctors, researchers and nurses are so important in the battle against childhood cancer, and we have made it a priority not only to fund their research, but to create a relationship with all of them. We want a cure for childhood cancer more than anyone, and by creating camaraderie and working together, we think we will get there faster.

Thank you to all of the doctors, researchers and nurses out there who are as determined to find a cure as we are; and thank you to all of our volunteers, sponsors and supporters who help us to fund their research that is leading us to a cure. We certainly wouldn’t be making the strides we are without each and every one of you.

The Power is in your hands!

The truth is that Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation would not exist without the thousands of volunteers across the country (and world!) that host lemonade stands each year. We utilize the money that these volunteers raise to fund cutting-edge research toward finding better treatments and cures for all kids affected by cancer. Usually deciding where our funds go is quite a process (as it should be since we want to fund the best and most promising research). It includes a scientific advisory board, reviewers, scoring, conference calls and much more to narrow the field to the top candidates! We will soon be announcing our 2010 grant recipients after this process, but we also know that there is a lot more we can do to help the cause. In addition to research grants, there is also a great need for smaller funding for research supplies and equipment as well as items to support families. With so many great choices for ways to help, we thought - why not put some of the power to decide where the funds go in the hands of our volunteers?

So we did just that, and launched the first ever ALSF Fundraiser voting project. From April 8 – April 13, all volunteers who raised funds for the foundation in 2009 were given the opportunity to vote on how they wanted $25,000 to be allocated. The vote included 10 different projects, and each volunteer was given one vote to decide where they wanted their funds to go. The 10 projects were: 1) Incubator to process tumor samples; 2) Centrifuge for PCR; 3) Send one promising childhood cancer researcher to an international educational conference 4) Trk inhibitor for use in nanoparticle pilot experiments; 5) New toys, DVDs and other items to help keep kids' minds from thinking about treatment while hospitalized; 6) Meal vouchers for childhood cancer families spending the day in the outpatient clinic; 7) PCR Machine; 8) Eppendorf Robot Attachment; 9) Laboratory Shaker; 10) Epson scanner. (For full project descriptions, click here!)

We are pleased to say that the response was overwhelming and we received a significant amount of votes. We are including the results of the poll below, and felt that this provided us with a great deal of insight into what our supporters deem important. We truly feel like our supporters are our family, and we hope that they will feel like they are even more a part of the family after this vote! We hope to do it again in 2011, but until then, here’s where the $25,000 will go:



- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation

New Additions to Team Alex

Happy Friday everyone! It has been a hot week here in the Philadelphia area, which only reminds us that summer and lemonade season are right around the corner. While we are very excited about continuing our 10th anniversary year, we can’t help but be a little nervous about our goal of raising more funds and awareness this year than in any year prior! With such a lofty goal, we thought we would enlist the help of supporters on the ground in some of our key cities and make them official employees of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

Early this year we started our search to find Community Outreach Specialists in Atlanta, Kansas City and Los Angeles to help raise the profile of the foundation in these areas. We are pleased to have found three amazing candidates – Jenny Wilburn, Susan Blowey, and Todd Talbott! These three have jumped right in by setting up meetings, hosting their own lemonade stands, and looking for ways they can help ALSF become an even bigger part of their communities. Among the tasks they will be undertaking: acting as a liaison to schools and community groups to increase involvement with ALSF, working to get the word out about the impact stand hosts have on those affected by childhood cancer, as well as educating the community on how Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is changing the lives of children and their families battling cancer. We are looking forward to working with these three, and hope our supporters in Atlanta, Kansas City and Los Angeles will also have the opportunity to coordinate efforts with them.

As an introduction, we are including their bios below. Feel free to reach out to them directly if you live in their communities to welcome them, or share ideas! They are here to help ALSF and all of our supporters who may need assistance in spreading the word.

Susan Blowey
Community Outreach Specialist - Kansas City
email: Susan.Blowey@alexslemonade.org

Susan Blowey first learned of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation after her nephew, Charlie, was diagnosed with brain cancer. Charlie had successfully completed two years of treatment, when his family first became involved with ALSF’s National Fundraising Weekend, Lemonade Days, in the Kansas City area. For the past two years, Susan has supported Lemonade Days at the local Hy-Vees. When Susan came upon a job posting for a Community Outreach Specialist, she felt it might act as the new challenge she was seeking. With a background in sales, marketing and human resources, as well as a personal connection to childhood cancer, she thought she would be the perfect fit! Susan is thankful to be the mother of three healthy daughters, and looks forward to contributing to the mission of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.



Todd Talbott
Community Outreach Specialist - Los Angeles
email: Todd.Talbott@AlexsLemonade.org

Todd Talbott was born and raised in Texas, and has had a passion for working with non-profit organizations throughout his career. Todd has worked for the Special Olympics, in the community relations department of networks CBS and UPN, and with Save Africa’s Children where he traveled to Africa to work with orphan care programs. In early 2009, Todd began searching for a new organization he could be passionate about, and one that would allow him to utilize his years of experience. When the opportunity presented itself to be considered for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Community Outreach position in Los Angeles, Todd knew it was the endeavor he was looking for. Todd looks forward to maximizing his contacts and relationships to continue making a difference for children and their families touched by childhood cancer.


Jenny Wilburn
Community Outreach Specialist - Atlanta
email: Jenny.Wilburn@AlexsLemonade.org

Jenny Wilburn first heard about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation when she came across an article featuring the foundation in People magazine. A mom herself, Alex's story hit home, and the determination of children around the country to continue Alex’s legacy inspired her. Though a busy career in media kept Jenny from getting too involved, last November she decided it was time for a change. When she came upon a job posting on the ALSF facebook page, Jenny felt she had found what she was looking for and immediately applied for the job. With her stellar background in TV, and her passion for the cause, Jenny was granted the position of Outreach Specialist. Jenny looks forward to spreading the word about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in the Atlanta area and becoming part of the movement toward a cure.

Happy April Fools’ Day!

Here at Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, we are faced with the very serious issue of childhood cancer every day. So, we try to keep the environment light around the office. In honor of April Fools’ Day, we wanted to share some of the activities our staff has taken part in. These include chair races, scooter obstacle courses, and the “who can keep a straight face after biting into a sour lemon” game.

We are very serious about finding a cure for childhood cancer, but as evidenced below, our staff finds time to have fun too.



PS – these activities can be used at your lemonade stands, or to raise funds for childhood cancer within your offices. If you decide to gather friends or colleagues for one of these activities, make sure to send in your photos! Who knows, we may use them in our next video or on our social media pages.

-Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation