This fall, a new club has started at Sacred Heart University. The Lemon Club is a student-run organization that partners with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) to raise money for childhood cancer research.
Source: Instagram, @shu_lemonclub
According to the organization’s website, ALSF began when, at four years old, Alex Shaw started a lemonade stand. Shortly before her first birthday, Shaw had been diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric cancer called Neuroblastoma. After years of treatment, in 2000, Shaw decided that when she was out of the hospital, she would start a lemonade stand to raise money for kids like her. Until her passing in 2004, Shaw had raised over $1 million for cancer research. Since then, her parents took over, and ALSF is now the largest independent childhood cancer charity in the United States.
“Childhood cancer is obviously a big thing, but only four percent of funding goes towards it from the government,” said SHU Lemon Club Vice President Hayanna Silva. “Obviously we are very grateful for the four percent, but it is truly not enough.”
ALSF’s main focus is on clinical trials and research, essentially finding less harmful treatments, besides radiation, for cancer. They also emphasize the importance of supporting families during these unimaginable times. According to their website, ALSF has helped support nearly 30,000 families through programs like Travel For Care, helping cover costs so families can access the treatments their children desperately need.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and SHU’s Lemon Club is participating in ALSF’s 12th Annual Million Mile fundraiser. The Million Mile is a month-long challenge where teams record how many miles they walk, run, bike, etc., and collect donations from pledges and supporters. The SHU Lemon Club has already surpassed its goal, raising just over $1,000 for childhood cancer research.
In addition to their participation in the Million Mile, the club plans to make cards and bracelets for kids in local hospitals and honor Alex’s memory with lemonade stands on campus. In the future, the club hopes to host other fundraising events on campus as well.
“We have a lot of freedom in what fundraising events we can do,” said Silva. “We have a lot of ideas, but being new, it is hard to get everything into place and our ideas are quite large. We are trying really hard and have a bunch of stuff that we are working on.”
Silva has been fundraising for cancer her whole life, growing up in and out of the hospital herself. She explained that while the money is necessary, it is equally important that the group brings awareness to childhood cancer and help those who are affected.
“It is hard to see it and hard to hear about it, but it’s even harder to live it. It affects everyone,” said Silva. “They are not just treating cancer, they are treating the child too.”
Meetings are held every other Wednesday at 8 p.m. in HC223, and all are welcome and encouraged to join. To stay updated with the Lemon Club, follow them on Instagram @shu_lemonclub.
Skylar Amirault contributed to this article.
