Did you know that every year an estimated 263,000 children under the age of 20 are diagnosed with childhood cancers worldwide? It is the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 15 in the U.S. but less then 5% of the government’s funding for cancer research is dedicated only to childhood cancer. Pretty scary right? I have been blessed with healthy children and am thankful for that everyday, but I am no stranger to cancer having lost my mom a few years ago to breast cancer. I can’t image going through that with one of my children. Not all families are like mine and for some, childhood cancer is a daily battle. One question we often ask is what can I do to help??
One simple way is through organizations that are designed to run and raise money to help fund research projects to help find cures for childhood cancers. One such organization is called Alex’s Lemonade Stand. This organization was started by a young girl named Alex who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer when she was just a baby. At the young age of 4, Alex decided she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help other kids like her. One stand grew to many and although she lots her battle to cancer at the age of 7, her amazing legacy lives on as people all across the country can now host their own lemonade stands and donate the money they raise as well!
Alex’s Lemonade Stand now makes it it’s mission to raise money and awareness of childhood cancer causes and research into new treatments and cures. They also help to encourage and empower others, especially children, to get involved and make a difference for children with cancer. Since the year 2000 when Alex started her first lemonade stand, the foundation has now raised over $80 million that has been put directly into funding for helping to find a cure for childhood cancer.
What can you do to help??
Alex’s Lemonade Stand offers you many ways to help fight this fight. You can get your school, group or sports team involved to raise money or you can even host your own lemonade stand and donate the money you raise- no amount is too small. You can stop by their website and learn about all the ways you can help.
Another way is to support an additional business that is helping to raise money! Auntie Anne’s Pretzels had teamed up with Alex’s Lemonade Stand to help you donate money through them. To date, Auntie Anne’s had donated almost $1,500,000 for the foundation!
Auntie Anne’s invites you to join the mighty fight! This summer from July 21 through September 15, they are aiming to raise more than half a million dollars to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Visit your local Auntie Anne’s today to donate $1 in the mighty fight against childhood cancer and receive $1 off your next purchase! It’s a win-win situation!
By working with this campaign, a $50 donation has been made in my name to help one of many mighty fighters. My mini but mighty hero is Jordan who is a 15 year old girl who has been battling cancer since she was diagnosed at the age of 4 in 2003. She is quite the fighter and proudly tells people she is “kicking cancer’s butt”
Want to help Jordan and other kid’s just like her? Stop by Alex’s Lemonade Stand and learn more about their programs and foundation. Then be sure to stop by your local Auntie Anne’s between July 21st through September 15th and make a qualifying purchase to help this amazing organization. In addition, you can stop by Auntie Anne’s fundraising page on Crowdtilt starting July 28th and make another donation. They are aiming to raise an additional $35,000 for childhood cancer research.
When life give you lemons- make lemonade.
Be thankful for the healthy kids in your life and help to pass on your blessings by helping Auntie Anne’s raise money for Alex’s Lemonade stand. It takes a village to raise kids, and this can be one way we all can help.
Learn more about these programs here:
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