My Dad, a beloved track coach of 30 plus years, inspired my love for running at an early age. My friend, Jamie, and I have been training for and running half marathons for a few years. We are now taking the leap to a full marathon—the Marine Corps Marathon, held in our nation's capitol on Oct. 22, 2017.  We have each selected a cause near and dear to our heart to support, and I am proud to be raising funds and awareness for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (Team Lemon).  

I love the story behind Alex’s Lemonade Stand (Team Lemon), a national childhood cancer foundation dedicated to raising funds for research into new treatments and cures for all children battling cancer.  It all started from the front yard lemonade stand of a young cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). 

Alex was only 4 years old when she decided to hold a lemonade stand to raise money for "her hospital," so doctors could help other kids like they'd 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 8, she knew she had reached the ambitious goal of raising $1 million for childhood cancer research.

My Mom, much like Alex, embodied a spirit of determination and hope. I am carrying on the inspiring legacies of both my Mom and Alex by raising money to fight childhood cancer. Will you make a donation? As Alex's life showed, our small contributions can make a big impact. Thank you!