About ALSF

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Our Mission & History

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) shares the vision of our founder and creator, Alexandra “Alex” Scott — a cure for all children with cancer.

Our Mission

To change the lives of children with cancer through funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer.

Childhood cancer is the number one cause of death by disease for children in the United States, but pediatric cancer research remains consistently underfunded by the federal government.

Since our founder Alex set up her first lemonade stand in 2000, our supporters have helped fill critical research gaps to help find safer, more effective treatments for all kids.

  • Raised more than $300 million since Alex’s first stand and become the largest independent childhood cancer charity in the U.S.

  • Funded more than 1,500 cutting-edge research projects at nearly 150 institutions across North America and Europe.

  • Supported nearly 30,000 families through key programs like Travel For Care, helping cover costs so families can access treatments their kids need.

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Alex Scott

Our History

When Alex, who was diagnosed with childhood cancer just before her first birthday, was 4 years old, she told her parents she wanted to set up a lemonade stand in their front yard. Her plan: to give the money to doctors to help them find a cure. Her first “Alex’s Lemonade Stand” (held with the help of her older brother, Patrick) raised an astonishing $2,000 in one day. While bravely fighting her own cancer, Alex continued to set up lemonade stands every year. As news spread of the remarkable girl so dedicated to helping other sick children, people everywhere were inspired to start their own lemonade stands — donating the proceeds to her cause.

In 2004, when Alex passed away at the age of 8 — her stand and inspiration had raised more than $1 million towards finding a cure for the disease that took her life. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was started by her parents in 2005 to continue the work that Alex began. Since its inception, it has raised more than $300 million and funded over 1,500 research grants to help kids fight cancer.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is the living embodiment of Alex’s spirit of determination and hope. Like Alex, we believe that every person can make a difference. Together, we can bring about a cure. Please join us in “making lemons into lemonade” today!