In 2000, a 4 year old cancer patient named Alexandra "Alex" Scott announced a seemingly simple idea -she was holding a lemonade stand to raise money to help "her doctors" find a cure for kids with cancer. The idea was put into action by Alex and her older brother, Patrick, when they set up the first "Alex's Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer" on their front lawn in July of 2000.

For the next four years, despite her deteriorating health, Alex held an annual lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer research. Following her inspirational example, thousands of lemonade stands and other fundraising events have been held across the country by children, schools, businesses, and organizations, all to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for childhood cancer. On August 1st, 2004, Alex died peacefully at the age of 8 -- she had raised over $1 million for childhood cancer research in her short lifetime.

Alex's spirited determination to raise awareness and money for all childhood cancer while she bravely fought her own deadly battle with cancer has inspired thousands of people, from all walks of life to raise money and give to her cause. Alex's family and supporters are committed to continuing her inspiring legacy through Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501c3 charity. As of July 2008, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised over $20 million for childhood cancer research. The result -- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has given millions of dollars for childhood cancer research across the country!

Mission Statement

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is a unique foundation that has evolved from a young cancer patient's front yard lemonade stand to a nationwide fundraising movement for childhood cancer.
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is committed to:

• Raising money and awareness for pediatric cancer causes, primarily research into new cures and treatments.
• 
  Encouraging and educating others, especially children, to raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for childhood cancer.

Our Vision

A Cure for all children with cancer

What makes alex's lemonade stand different than other charities?

Alex took the very simple idea of a lemonade stand and combined it with the cause of pediatric cancer - a natural and meaningful fit. The simple concept of "fighting childhood cancer, one cup at a time" has allowed people who would not usually participate in fundraising, especially children, to organize and raise money for childhood cancer. Adults and children have been inspired by Alex's giving spirit - since 2004 there have been over 8000 Alex's Lemonade Stands held across the country. These stands have been organized by a diverse group of devoted volunteers including large and small businesses, inner city school children, senior centers, pre-school aged children, a juvenile detention center, college students, and a group of homeless people. The lesson that children and adults everywhere learn from holding their own lemonade stands is simple but powerful - every person can make a difference in the world.

Additionally, Alex's Lemonade Stand has inspired people who would not be likely to donate to childhood cancer to make donations with the reassurance that "no donation is too small". The Lemonade Stand as a fundraiser brings charitable giving to communities and neighborhoods, making donating simple and rewarding for everyone.

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is also unique in its approach to providing grants. Our goal is to partner with the staff at leading research and treatment facilities around the country. We work with them to identify the specific ways in which the Foundation can make a difference for children who need new advances in treatments-and who need these options today, not tomorrow. We know what a difference those new advances can make -- they gave Alex four years of life and inspired her to start raising money to help other children with difficult to treat cancers.

Awards and recognition

Alex Scott has been honored with numerous awards, including the Good Housekeeping Hero For Health Award, the Philadelphia 76ers Hometown Hero Award (2002 and 2003) The Philadelphia Foundation's Philanthropist of The Year for 2003, a Volvo For Life Award 2003, The Association for Fundraising Professionals Youth in Philanthropy Award 2004, a Kellogg's Child Development Award 2004,a Please Touch Museum Great Friend to Kids Award 2006, and The Sunshine Foundation's Impossible Dream Award 2006. Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has also received the PPRA Gold Medal Award for 2005, the 2006 Ben Appelbaum Advocate for Youth Award, the Philadelphia Sports Writers Humanitarian Award for 2005, The Gilda's Club Ann Silverman Award 2006, a Paul Harris Citation from The Rotary Club, and proclamations naming Alex's Lemonade Stand Days from the State of Pennsylvania and the State of Connecticut, as well as numerous Good Citizen Citations.

Two awards have been named in Alex's memory. Volvo Cars has created the Alex Scott Butterfly Award which will be given to a child who, like Alex, has shown extraordinary conscience, care, and character in helping others. The Philadelphia 76ers have renamed their community service award - The Hometown Hero In The Spirit of Alex Scott award.

Alex's story has been featured on The Oprah Show, The Today Show, The CBS Early Show, The CBS Evening News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and dozens of other news segments across the country. Alex's Lemonade Stand has also been featured in People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Good Housekeeping Magazine, and many other local and national magazines. Hundreds of newspapers worldwide have run stories about Alex and her lemonade stand including, The Philadelphia Inquirer, USA Today, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times. USA Today recognized her among 21 worldwide figures whose lives affected news, entertainment, sports and business in 2004; the Associated Press listed Alex in its "Roll Call of Notables who died in 2004"; Main Line Today Magazine named her "Person of the Year"; and The Philadelphia Inquirer had Alex's Lemonade Stand as one of the top 10 news of the year.

Thank you for joining us in the fight against childhood cancer... one cup at a time!