Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Molly was a happy and healthy 2-year-old, always with a smile on her face. Shortly before her second birthday we noticed she had a "lazy eye" so at her 2-year-old "well child" check up I brought it to the doctors attention and we were referred to an ophthalmologist. On January 28, 2010, a cold sunny morning, I took Molly to the ophthalmologist with the thought we would come out with an eye patch or a prescription for glasses....boy was I wrong. As our little girl sat quietly on my lap the doctor looked in her eyes for what seemed an eternity, she looked up at me and I knew something was wrong. "Your daughter has a tumor in her left eye and it is cancerous." Our world was suddenly turned upside down. Molly was diagnosed that day with Retinoblastoma, a rare childhood eye cancer. From that day on it was a whirlwind of appointments, phone calls, tears, and fear. Through an MRI we learned she had bilateral Retinoblastoma and a brain tumor. On February 2 we moved our family to LA for a few months so she could be seen by the best doctors, who knew how to treat this rare cancer. In the months to follow Molly had brain surgery, 2 cycles of chemotherapy, countless MRI's and eye exams under anesthesia, and ultimately removal of her left eye. Today Molly remains cancer free, she is a happy and healthy 4-year-old. She is attending her first year of preschool and loving it. This summer we will have our third annual Alex's Lemonade Stand in honor of Miss Molly and all the other childhood cancer heroes!

Written by Shauna Easton, Molly’s Mom
January 2012