This year, we put together another outstanding team to raise funds for children with cancer: the Million Mile Smile. Our team spans the globe again with members on both coasts of the U.S. to a dedicated group of medical students from Saudi Arabia. We are raising money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), an amazing group that helps children with cancer by funding research and care initiatives.
ALSF was started by an inspirational 4 year old little girl, Alex Scott, after she was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer called neuroblastoma. Alex began to raise money by holding lemonade stands in her driveway to help her doctors find cures for children with cancer. Sadly, Alex passed away when she was just 8 years old. Her parents, Liz and Jay Scott, are remarkable people and they have carried on Alex’s valiant effort to cure childhood cancer. Both Liz and Jay quit their jobs to work for ALSF. Today, thanks to Alex and her family, many more children will be cured of cancer.
Please join our team or support our efforts to cure childhood cancer. We dedicate our team to an exceptional young woman, Amanda Zittle. As a cancer doctor, I had the honor of caring for Amanda when she bravely battled childhood leukemia at the age of just 8 years. (Please see her beautiful pictures with her family on our website.) Amanda has incredible courage, optimism and strength that inspires all who know her. Today, she is 36 and doing amazing things!
The goal for the entire organization is 1 million miles during the month of September. Participants can run, walk, bike, swim or even row. In fact, any way you want to go is fine!
Amanda, Alex’s family and all of our patients and their families remind us to be grateful for each and every moment and inspire us to fight for the day when all children with cancer will have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and lead long and healthy lives. Thank you all for your contributions to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation!
To sign up or donate, please go to the following link and click on Join the Team!
-Linda Resar, professor in the Division of Hematology
