COOL lemonade

This past July 29th in Dell Rapids, SD Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) set up shop in the city park to raise money for children cancer research. Josie Hansen, an alumni of Dell Rapids High School, was there working for her third consecutive year, "I've always wanted to help kids, and this is something that's tragic and no child should have to deal with it."

You can find Alex's Lemonade Stands all over the country. Founded by Alexandra Scott when she was four years old and being treated for the type of cancer called Neuroblastoma, the lemonade stands have raised over 45 million dollars over the past 10 years. Alexandra was able to raise $2,000 at her first stand and donated the money to the doctors that helped her, "When I get out of the hospital I want to have a lemonade stand and give the money to the doctors to allow them to help other kids, like they helped me."

Alex passed away in 2004 at the age of 8 but not before raising $1 million, with the help of others who were inspired by her and set up their own lemonade stands to assist her in her quest, for childhood cancer research.

Today her dream lives on through he family which set up the ALFS in 2005. The money raised has helped fund more than 200 research projects, create a travel program to help support families of children undergoing treatment, and develop resources to help people everywhere affected by childhood cancer.

As Josie Hansen embodies Alex's spirit of helping others she states, "I don't plan on giving up anytime soon. It's something I'm very passionate about."

Here's to Alex, her family, and others who continue to do her work and keep her dream alive-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

For further information, to set up your own stand, or to donate:
www.alexlemonade.org

What do you think of Alex's courage and those that continue to keep her dream alive? Would you be interested in hosting a lemonade stand for such a good cause?