Washington,
Jun 12 -
Congressman Jim Gerlach today applauded House passage of a resolution he introduced recognizing the goals and ideals of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Days.
“This nationwide campaign to raise money to research and help the victims of childhood cancer survive has grown and prospered due to the very courageous efforts of a brave little girl from Wynnewood,” Rep. Gerlach said. “I’m glad my House colleagues support this worthwhile effort and recognize all the good it’s hoping to accomplish. Hopefully, with passage of my resolution by the House, we’ll be able to draw even more attention to this worthwhile cause.”
Congressman Gerlach’s resolution, H.Con.Res. 368, honors the goals and ideals of Lemonade Stand Days and honors Alexandra `Alex' Scott for her hard work and dedication to helping others with childhood cancer. The resolution commends the Foundation's fundraising efforts for childhood cancer causes and research into new cures and treatments for childhood cancer and honors the Foundation's work in encouraging and educating the public on childhood cancer issues and helping individuals start their own lemonade stands.
According to background information from www.alexslemoade.org, the Web site home of the nationwide fundraising effort, it was in 2000 when 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 pediatric cancer" on their front lawn in July of 2000. According to the Foundation, for the next four years, despite her deteriorating health, Alex held an annual lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer research. Alex died peacefully at the age of 8 in August 2004. However, the effort continues and as of December 2005, her national campaign has raised over $5 million for pediatric cancer research, the Foundation reports.
More information is available at www.alexslemonade.org. A copy of Congressman Gerlach’s resolution is attached to this release.
