On how our personal story and a cup of icy cold lemonade became intertwined begins when our daughter Priya was 2 years old. What started as an unexplained, persistent fever landed us in the ER after the pediatrician felt a mass in Priya's abdomen.

 

Diagnosis: cancer. Stage 4 High-Risk Neuroblastoma to be exact.

 

Intensive therapy for this aggressive cancer got under way immediately with the goal of shrinking the tumor to become operable and ridding the cancer that had spread throughout her tiny body. Initial rounds of chemotherapy proved to be successful. This allowed for tumor resection followed by 2 stem cell transplants, radiation, and immunotherapy, leading to full remission.

 

Here comes the lemonade part. In the midst of Priya's treatment, we were introduced to the remarkable Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). The 4-year-old founder, Alexandra "Alex" Scott, bravely battled her own cancer as she set up annual front yard lemonade stands to benefit childhood cancer research. With the involuntary front row seat to childhood cancer that we were given, we turned it into an opportunity to continue Alex's inspiring legacy. That first lemonade stand back in 2016 was a much needed distraction, social interaction, and time spent outdoors. Together with our outstanding community, we raised enough to fund 120 hours of cancer research for kids.

 

Today, Priya is 5 years old, doing well emotionally and physically, and anxiously awaiting kindergarten in the fall. After our recent family move from Michigan to Ohio, Priya's follow-up care is now at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Check-ups every 6 months include tests and imaging to evaluate disease status. In other words, to check if she remains in remission.

 

What Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation means to us is hope for the future for all children with cancer. More research --> better treatment --> more cures. In addition to funding impactful research, ALSF is also changing the lives of children with cancer by raising awareness, supporting families, and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer.

 

Join us at Priya's front yard lemonade stand in June, with her parents and baby sister by her side, in the fight against childhood cancer, one cup at a time.