On October 8, 2017, I will participate in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, joining with "Team Lemon" to help Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) move one step closer to finding a cure for all children with cancer.  Every year, an estimated 250,000 new cases of cancer affect children under the age of 20 worldwide.  That's about 700 new kids affected every day and, every day, approximately 250 children around the world die from cancer.  Yet, childhood cancer is vastly and consistently underfunded, with LESS THAN FIVE PERCENT of the National Cancer Institute's total annual funding for cancer research dedicated to pediatric cancer.

Kids with cancer don't have time to wait!  That's why I've chosen to deviate from my plan, following hip replacement surgery in 2013, to do only one marathon per year and, further, to train through the heat and humidity that accompany Summer in Evansville Indiana, to raise awareness and, just as importantly, funds to support research seeking better treatments and cures for childhood cancer.  In doing so, I am carrying on the inspiring legacy of Alexandra ("Alex") Scott, a young cancer patient, who was only four years old when she decided to hold a lemonade stand to raise money for "her hospital", so doctors could help other kids like they had helped her.  Alex held her first stand in 2000 and continued to hold lemonade stands each year, inspiring support from her community and across the nation.  Although, sadly, Alex passed away at the age of eight, she knew she had reached the ambitious goal of raising $1 million for childhood cancer research!

The money you donate to ALSF has the potential to make a huge difference for these kids with cancer and their families!  There are several other organizations in existence dedicated to pediatric cancer research.  I've chosen to align with ALSF because of its reputation as a top-rated charity with an outstanding track record of directing the funds it receives toward its stated mission.  ALSF has earned a Charity Navigator score of 94 out of a possible 100 and carries a financial score of 97.5, with 88.3 percent of total expenses spent on the programs and services it delivers, which is exceptionally high.  You can give confidently to ALSF with the assurance they will put your hard-earned dollars to productive use!

I hope the above convinces you to join me in supporting ALSF and, more specifically, the kids affected by cancer and the families who love and support them.  Will YOU make a donation?  As Alex's example showed, even relatively small contributions, if there are enough of them, can make a big impact.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND, HOPEFULLY, YOUR SUPPORT!

Tony