Grand Stands Galore

Along with Alex’s “Original” Lemonade Stand, there were many Grand Stands held across the country during Lemonade Days (June 11-13). Among them was the Taggart family’s 6th Annual Grand Stand held at the Irvine Spectrum on Saturday, June 12.

The Taggart family hosts their annual stand to honor the memory of their son John Kelly Taggart, who like Alex, lost his life to neuroblastoma. The Taggart’s hosted their first stand in June 2005 during John’s last year of life. From John's idea and Alex's plan they were able to raise over $10,000 that year as well as enjoy John’s smiles and happiness as his friends, family and community banded together. It is in his honor that the family continues to host stands, hoping to break their record this year.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation staff members were able to visit the Taggart stand this year and we have created a video which really showcases the spirit of the event. Take a few minutes and watch the video if you can, it is truly inspiring. We are also excited to report that the event raised over $8,000!

Thank you to the Taggarts and to all of our Grand Stand Hosts!



Video made by ALSF social media intern, Lauren Hearne

Ten Years and Ten Lessons Learned

As we finish up the first half of June, we are so grateful for the outpouring of support for childhood cancer that we have seen over the past 10 days. With thousands of stands and events held already this month, a hugely successful phone bank, a beautiful tribute to Alex by her former elementary school (watch video) , and a bigger than ever Great Chefs Event, the past two weeks have been meaningful and rewarding in every way. To say I am overwhelmed is an understatement!

It seems like only yesterday that Alex was battling cancer and persistently asking us when she could hold a lemonade stand to help "her doctors" help other kids with cancer. Who could have imagined that 10 years later her "stand" would be a foundation that is changing the world of pediatric cancer research? We are so grateful every day for what it has become - we are inspired by Alex, but we are also inspired by all of you who continue to support her vision of a cure for all children with cancer.

Of course, we also miss Alex every day. Last week, I spent some time reflecting on the fact that it has been a decade since Alex's first stand. As I thought about the past decade, with all its happiness and sadness, I realized that this milestone in the history of the foundation coincides with what should have been a milestone in Alex's life. Today, Alex would have finished her last week of middle school, and celebrated her passage into high school with her classmates and friends. That really gave me a lot to think about... what would Alex be like as a 14-year-old? Who would her friends be? How would she get along with her brothers? Would she get along with me or think I was annoying? So many questions, so many things I will never know.

As I thought about all of the things I will never come to know, I realized all of the things I am privileged to know. Life lessons that I have learned because of Alex, her life, her legacy, and the wonderful supporters who continue it.

So, in that spirit, I created a List of 10 Lessons learned over the past decade:
1) Our children are much stronger than we are in every way.
2) Truly living for the day is something everyone should experience in their lifetime.
3) Good friends are found in tough times.
4) Life is unfair sometimes ~ accept it and make something good out of it.
5) Putting on a happy face can actually make you feel happy (try it, it works!).
6) There are many more good people in the world than bad people.
7) Time does not heal all wounds.
8) Inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes.
9) One person can truly make a difference in the world.
10) Many people working together can accomplish amazing things.... including curing childhood cancer.

Thank you Alex, and thank you Alex's Lemonade Stand Supporters.
You have a lot to be proud of!
Gratefully, Liz Scott

P.S. To learn more about Alex's life and accomplishments, what has followed, and how to get involved, look for the documentary "Alex Scott: A Stand for Hope" in your area.
Here is where the documentary will air this weekend.
Hartford-- WFSB Sat 6/19 12noon
Denver -- KCNC Sun 6/20 2pm
Baltimore -- WJZ -- Sun 6/20 4pm
Philadelphia - WPSG - Sun 6/20 8:30am & KYW - Sun 6/20 3:30pm

We expect it to air in 20+ cities across the country so stay tuned for more dates and cities!

'Child's Fund-Raiser Marks 10 Years, $30 Million for Cancer'

SUYIN SO, AOL
AOLnews.com

(JUNE 11) -- When life gives you lemonade, make lemonade. One young Pennsylvania girl did just that, turning a major life lemon -- cancer -- into millions of dollars of aid to children and families that keeps pouring, 10 years later.

In 2000, Alex Scott, then 4, told her parents Liz and Jay that she wanted to open a lemonade stand to help doctors at her local hospital, where she was being treated for neuroblastoma.

Before long, her efforts had raised $2,000, and news spread of the little girl with a big cause. By the time Alex died in 2004, her lemonade stand against cancer had raised $1 million for pediatric cancer research and had attracted national media attention.

"It's the spark of Alex and other people sort of following the example," said Liz Scott, who with her husband continues her daughter’s work through Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. The Wynnewood, Pa.-based foundation has raised $30 million to end pediatric cancer.

Star power will spike some of the lemonade this weekend, when more than 10,000 volunteers will host 2,000 lemonade stands to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Alex’s first lemonade stand. Supermodel Cindy Crawford will pour lemonade in Hollywood along with other celebrity thirst-quenchers.

Crawford, whose brother Jeff died of leukemia, told AOL News by email that what she loves specifically about Alex's Lemonade Stand is how it demonstrates that "no effort taken by an individual is too small."

"What started out as one neighborhood stand -- which is something we are all familiar with -- has grown into a national foundation raising millions of dollars," Crawford wrote. "This is the message my mother tried to instill in me and my sisters when we organized our first dance marathon after our brother died."

And singer/songwriter Jordin Sparks, who won one of Alex's favorite shows -- "American Idol" -- urged youngsters to participate in Lemonade Days this weekend in a special video public service announcement. Sparks said in an email statement that she was "honored" to participate in Lemonade Days.

"Alex would be pretty thrilled," Liz Scott said about getting help from an American Idol. Still, she thinks her daughter would stay focused on the mission.

"She would be really happy with what we’ve accomplished," Liz said, "but not lose sight to fact that we’re not there yet."
According to the National Cancer Institute, childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children between infancy and 15 in the United States.

Liz told AOL News that the foundation's mission to end all childhood cancers was very important to Alex, who wanted to help all children, not just those who had the same diagnosis she had.

"She said, 'That is so selfish. All kids want their tumors to go away,' " Liz recalled.

Liz likened the foundation to a sort of incubator for researchers testing early-stage innovative techniques and methods. Often, grant recipient apply for larger grants using results and data funded by the the foundation.

One grant recipient won a multimillion dollar research prize based on research funded by the foundation, effectively turning a $200,000 grant into much more.

"We can fill a gap that government can’t -- that’s what philanthropy is there for," said Liz.

"We don’t care if we are the biggest pediatric cancer research fund out there," she added, "But we want to be the best."

http://www.aolnews.com/philanthropy/nc/article/childs-fund-raiser-marks-10-years-30/1112575