USC Resident Hosts Alex’s Lemonade Stand

You may have heard the public service announcement on the radio.

Four-year-old Alexandra Scott, who had been diagnosed with cancer, decided she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to help all children in similar circumstances. Her efforts grew into the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which to date has raised more than $55 million.

When Upper St. Clair resident Sarah Burton heard the commercial two years ago, she decided to follow Alex’s lead.

 “It sounded easy enough that I could do something,” Sarah says.

Easy? Maybe. Effective? Certainly!

Sarah is planning her third annual lemonade stand for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in front of her home, 117 Warwick Drive. The first two years, she raised a little over $600 and $1,000, respectively.

This time around, she already has gained $950 in pledges through her own Alex’s Lemonade Stand Web page.

“I wanted to help something that was bigger than just myself,” says Sarah, who is going into her junior year at Upper St. Clair High School.

In addition to lemonade on Sunday, she also will be selling cookies, candy, popcorn and commemorative bracelets.

Her friends and neighbors have signed on to help, including some who will serve as DJs for the event, providing a block party kind of atmosphere.

Sarah says that although she never has lost anyone close to her to cancer, she can identify with Alexandra Scott.

“We were the same age,” she says. “Our birthdays were like three months apart.”

Alex died in 2004 at age 8, at that point having spearheaded efforts to raise $1 million.

Since then, the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation – based in Wynnewood, near Philadelphia – has been remarkably effective in encouraging others, especially young people, to help fight cancer. The organization even hosts leadership camps to help provide information about fundraising.

Sarah attended one at Villanova University at the start of August.

“I’m a lot more knowledgeable now,” she says.

Add that to her determination, and her $2,000 fundraising goal this year should be easy to reach.

And if you’re thirsty on Sunday, you’re welcome to stop by and help.