Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

PHILADELPHIA – In a continuing effort to improve the quality of care and life for childhood cancer patients, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF)  is seeking the applications of pediatric oncology nurses for the 2011 Nurse Researcher Grants cycle and the 2011 Nurse Researcher Workshop. Emerging from the firsthand experiences of foundation creator Alexandra “Alex” Scott, the Nurse Researcher programs have been designed to capitalize on the unique view pediatric oncology nurses have into the lives and treatments of childhood cancer patients.  

Since Alex’s first front yard lemonade stand, the foundation has been dedicated to working toward a cure for all childhood cancers. After establishing a successful medical grants program in 2006, a Nurse Researcher Program was introduced in 2007 to help improve the quality of care and life for childhood cancer patients. The nursing workshop joined the repertoire in 2010 and expands upon this commitment to helping pediatric oncology nurses.

ALSF is now accepting applications for the 2011 Nurse Researcher Grant Program, with applications due on August 1, 2011.

The grant applications are being accepted in the following categories:

• Mentored Nurse Researcher ($20,000 over two years) - designed to support the efforts of beginning nurse researchers to accomplish small research projects.
• Intermediate Nurse Researcher ($40,000 over two years) – designed to financially support efforts of more experienced nurse researchers to accomplish research projects.
• Independent Nurse Researcher ($100,000 over two years) - designed for an experienced nurse researcher with a career plan that shows commitment to pediatric cancer nursing.

In addition to the Nurse Researcher Grants, ALSF will host the second annual Nurse Researcher Workshop on October 6 & 7, 2011 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The two-day workshop brings together novice nurse researchers to work on refining their research questions, gain knowledge about how to work with their institutions, practice disseminating research findings and apply these new skills by completing a mock grant application. ALSF will cover the cost of the hotel stay (up to two nights) and meals during the conference, as well as reimburse travel expenses up to $500. Continuing Education Units will also be offered. All those who wish to attend the workshop must submit an application to be reviewed in a competitive process by June 15, 2011.

“The Nurse Researcher Workshop provided me with the invaluable opportunity to focus solely on research for two days with an inspiring group of expert nurse researchers, and novices like me, from many different pediatric oncology nursing backgrounds,” said Shannon Raber, RN, MSN
of the University of California San Francisco. “I know the workshop improved my first grant application immeasurably, and made a lasting impact on how I will approach future research endeavors for childhood cancer survivors.”

The Nurse Researcher Workshop will include a keynote address from Marilyn Hockenberry, RN, FANN, PNP, PhD from Baylor College of Medicine; and a sessions on developing a research proposal with Dr. Hockenberry, working with your institutions with Christina Baggott, PhD, RN, PNP-BC, CPON from University of California San Francisco, demystifying statistics with Ki Moore, DNSc, RN, FAAN from University of Arizona School of Nursing, disseminating information and reviewing literature with Wendy Hobbie, CPNP, MSN, FAAN from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

For more information on the Nurse Researcher Grant Program and Nurse Researcher Workshop, visit www.ALSFgrants.org.