Fighting Childhood Cancer with Lemonade

It was the year 2000 and an extraordinary little girl had a big mission. Her name was Alexandra Scott. “Alex” is the name she went by, the name used by her parents and friends. And it’s a name that will not soon be forgotten.

The day after her fourth birthday, Alex underwent a serious procedure in her battle against neuroblastoma, a form of childhood cancer. She told her mom she wanted to sell lemonade to earn money for her doctors to allow them to “help other kids, like they helped me.” It was a simple, selfless idea and Alex’s parents obliged her wishes. That first front yard lemonade stand raised $2,000 and sparked a global namesake foundation, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), dedicated to finding a cure.

Funding Research for a Cure One Cup at a Time

Alex set a goal to raise one million dollars for childhood cancer research. Her amazing outlook on life, courage and dedication to help others gained global attention and awareness towards her cause. Others pitched in and set up their own lemonade stands in Alex’s name, and her dream became a reality.

Alex raised one million dollars 10 days before passing away in 2004. But her lemonade stands and her mission are very much alive.

ALFS has raised more than $150 million, funding 800+ research grants since 2005. The foundation is truly changing the lives of children and inspiring others to literally make a stand. That simple, selfless idea, Alex’s idea, has become a movement.

Our First Lemonade Stand

Alex’s father, Jay Scott, worked for a sister company of RSMeans when she passed. Reed Elsevier, RSMeans’ parent company at the time, pledged to match the donations of all their companies that held a lemonade stand in Alex’s honor. We set up our first lemonade stand on August 27, 2004 and we raised $685. Employees and the surrounding community embraced the event and it became a yearly tradition.

Gordian acquired RSMeans data in 2014 with a continued commitment to hold our annual lemonade stand. I’m proud that over the years we have raised more than $16,000 for the foundation, helped raise awareness about childhood cancer and done our part to keep Alex’s name alive.

Alex’s story alone is enough for anyone to become passionate about her cause. No one ever wants to see a child sick from cancer.

Alex’s mission became more personal to me when my nephew was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma at 12 years old in 2009. My family was lucky. My nephew recovered and is now thriving at college. During his battle, I saw the toll cancer takes on a young person, as well as their family and friends. My personal experience is why I stay so passionate about finding cures for pediatric cancer.

ALSF’s mission is “to change the lives of children with cancer through funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families, and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer.” At its core, the ALSF is continuing Alex’s original mission for her first lemonade stand—to help kids like her. The money raised by the organization affects the lives of families on many levels, from funding research projects for new treatments to something as simple as providing gas cards to help relieve the burden of traveling to countless doctor appointments.

I’d like to thank Alex and her family for dedicating their lives to funding the research that helped save my nephew and is changing lives across the globe. Visit the ALSF website to learn how you can contribute to Alex’s mission and start your lemonade stand today!