United Stands Of America:

Fighting Pediatric Cancer, One Cup At A Time

Lemonade Days is a meaningful three-day weekend that commemorates Alex Scott’s tradition of setting up a lemonade stand every year in June and giving the money to childhood cancer research. This year, the theme for Lemonade Days is “United Stands of America.”

By setting up yearly lemonade stands and inspiring an entire nation to do the same, the family and friends of Alex, along with thousands of devoted volunteers, have raised more than $6 million for childhood cancer research. Alex died in 2004 at the age of 8, but her legacy continues.

Alexandra “Alex” Scott, a West Hartford native, held her first lemonade stand in West Hartford. Her home state will show support this weekend by hosting many lemonade stands and events throughout the state. More than 300 similar events are planned across the country.

The weekend opened on Thursday, June 8, when West Hartford Health and Rehabilitation hosted a lemonade stand, bake sale and car wash.

The three-day June 9–11 weekend will kick off with multiple schools hosting lemonade stands. For the first time, Connecticut residents can see Alex’s Lemonade Stand “on the road.” Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, the hospital where Alex was diagnosed and treated for four years, will host an ice cream-style vehicle and welcome members of Alex’s family.

Her family will visit patients on the oncology ward, a tribute to Alex’s memory and a reminder to all that more help is needed for children fighting cancer. The lemonade stand will spend the remainder of the day visiting local business and communities.

Also on Friday, from 4 to 6 pm, the Wilton Family YMCA (404 Danbury Road) will host an Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

On Saturday, June 10, Cingular stores throughout the state will host lemonade stands as part of their annual support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand. For locations visit WirelessReadyOrNot.com.

A number of Supercuts salons will be hosting lemonade stands on Saturday between 10 am and 4 pm, including the salons in Danbury (724 Newtown Road), Ridgefield (125 Danbury Road), Watertown, and Brewster, N.Y.

Also on Saturday, Claire’s Corner Copia, 1001 Chapel Street in New Haven, will have lemonade, goodies, and entertainment between 11 am and 3 pm, and Lake Compounce will sponsors its second annual Alex’s Lemonade Stand from 11 am to 3 pm.

On Sunday from noon to midnight, Quassy Amusement Park will host an Alex’s Lemonade Stand to celebrate the success of Alex’s National Lemonade Stand Days.

Alex’s giving spirit remains the driving force behind the foundation she established. Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Inc (ASLI), guided by Alex’s parents, will continue the fight for all the families who are currently battling childhood cancer until a cure is found. ALSI supports childhood cancer research with a focus on improving the availability of new treatments for children currently undergoing treatments for difficult to cure cancers — such as brain tumors, leukemia, lymphoma, retinoblastoma, neuroblastoma, Ewings sarcoma, and Wilm’s tumor — among others.