A few months ago, a friend told me about this wonderful child named Alex (Alexandra Scott) and her inspirational journey to find a cure for cancer and doing it the only way she knew how — with a lemonade stand. And so, at the age of four, this remarkable young child sets out on a journey that started in her front yard and made the first of many Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

ABOUT ALEX’S LEMONADE STAND

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 January 2007, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised over $10 million for childhood cancer research. The result — Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has given millions of dollars for childhood cancer research across the country!

What We Learned From Alex

I think the most important lesson that we can learn from such an inspiration is that we don’t need much to make a difference in this world. Sometimes the biggest ideas in the world need only that first step in order to get it going. By starting that simple lemonade stand in her front yard, Alex took that most important first step.

Another lesson that we can take from Alex is exactly how to face adversity. It’s not always an easy life, but the best way to take on adversity may just be a smile. Sometimes, when life hands you lemons, you just have to make lemonade…

And lastly, I want to say that Alex has inspired everyone who has been blessed enough to know about her story. The strength and courage of this little girl, at the age of just four, is amazing and inspiring.

So learn more about Alex’s Lemonade Stand and help in any way by going to their website, buying some of their great gifts, donating, or maybe even starting your own Alex’s Lemonade Stand.