Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Foundation that emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alex Scott, marks milestone year with lemonade stands at the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl

Wynnewood, PA (February 2010) – Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF) is commemorating “a decade of standing for hope” by holding a string of high profile lemonade stands, the first two took place at the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl. 2010 marks 10 years since cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004) held her first front yard lemonade stand to find a cure for all childhood cancers. In celebration of the progress that has been made in the last decade, and with the hope that each day we are moving closer to a cure for all childhood cancers, the foundation is on a mission to raise more awareness and funds in 2010 than in any year prior.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation hopes to hold 10 high profile lemonade stands throughout the year to bring attention to how imperative the battle against childhood cancer remains, 10 years after Alex held her first front yard lemonade stand to help doctors on their way to a cure. Enlisting the help of celebrities, sports stars and high profile events, ALSF will shine a light on the number one disease killer of children under the age of 15 in the United States and demonstrate how people of all ages can get involved. The first of the high profile lemonade stands were held during the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl weekends in Miami. The NFL embraced Alex’s cause, extending an invitation for an Alex’s Lemonade Stand to be set up as part of the Fan Day Plaza at Sun Life Stadium. To officially kick off the year, Alex’s parents, Liz and Jay Scott, along with her three brothers, Patrick, Eddie and Joey went to Miami for a celebratory lemonade toast. They were joined by San Francisco 49ers players Takeo Spikes and Patrick Willis for the toast on Sunday, January 31.

“It is through the support of organizations like the NFL, our sponsors and of course the thousands of volunteers around the country that Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is able to continue our daughter’s dream,” said Liz Scott, Alex’s mom. “Knowing that Alex had a small presence at the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl, and more importantly, that pediatric cancer was acknowledged at one of the most famous sporting events in the world, allows me to believe that together, we will find cures for childhood cancer within the next ten years.”

Since Alex held her first lemonade stand to help her doctors find a cure for all childhood cancers, the foundation bearing her name has continued her mission. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has funded over 125 research projects leading to significant discovery. Among the breakthroughs ALSF has had a hand in over the past decade: the identification of three genes associated with the risk of neuroblastoma; the uncovering of a protein in Ewing’s sarcoma patients that may suppress the effects of chemotherapy; and linking mutations in two genes to nearly three-quarters of the most common types of brain cancers known as gliomas.

In addition to funding cutting-edge research, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has worked to improve the quality of care and life of childhood cancer patients and their families. The foundation created a nurse researcher program, which funds the research of nurses to find better ways to care for children undergoing cancer treatment. In addition to the very successful medical programs, ALSF created a Travel Fund, which assists families who face the need to travel for their child’s treatment, and hosts yearly childhood cancer symposiums providing families with the opportunity to learn about issues and topics of treatment and beyond, while meeting with other families in a group setting.

“We remain committed to finding new ways to treat and cure childhood cancer, but we also know that programs like the Travel Fund and the educational symposium make a difference for families every day.” said Jay Scott, Alex’s dad.

As the summer months approach, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation will look to hold more high profile lemonade stands to raise awareness for childhood cancer, which will affect more than 12,000 children this year in the United States alone. For more information on upcoming events, and how the foundation is celebrating the accomplishments of the past decade and looking toward the next, visit www.AlexsLemonade.org.