S: Is for Stories that Inspirer!

When life hands you lemons you make lemonade and that is exactly what 4 year old Alexandra Scott did. Shortly before her first birthday, Alex was diagnosed with childhood cancer. On her first birthday, the doctors informed Alex’s parents that if she beat her cancer it was doubtful that she would ever walk again. Two weeks later, Alex defined the odds. In 2000, the day after her fourth birthday, Alex received a stem cell transplant and informed her mother, “When I get out of the hospital I want to have a lemonade stand.” She said she wanted to give the money to the doctors to help them find a cure. The idea was put into action by Alex and her older brother, Patrick, and they set up the first "Alex's Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer" on their front lawn in July. They raised an amazing $2000 for “her hospital.” While bravely battling her own cancer, Alex continued to hold yearly lemonade stands in her front yard to benefit childhood cancer research. News spread of the remarkable sick child dedicated to helping other sick children. People from all over the world, moved by her story, held their own lemonade stands and donated the proceeds to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The year Aex turned 8 she knew this was her last year and she decided she wanted to raise a $1 million. In walks Tim Ritchey who had heard Alex's story. His horse Afleet Alex was running in the Kentucky Derby and he as his trainer and rider Jeremy Rose wanted to contribute Alfeet Alex's wins to her lemonade stand. Afleet ALex who was not scheduled to place came from the back to finish 3rd. Alex's Lemonade Stand was also invited to the Preakness and this time Alfeet Alex won. Alex made her goal of 1 million before she died, right before her 8th birthday. Afleet, Afleet Alex's sire, was auctioned for $37,000 -- all of it went to the lemonade stand. The winning bid was $37,000, by B. Wayne Hughes, who had two horses in the Derby. As of June 2008, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised over $19 million for childhood cancer research. The result -- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has given millions of dollars for childhood cancer research across the country!

Alexandra Scott who was diagnosed with cancer two days before her first birthday. Who started the stand when she was 4 to raise money for her hospital, died when she was 8 and she made a difference. She stands as a shinning example of someone who without health, without rights, without anything cared beyond herself to help others. I have always wondered why people like Alex die and others live for I know I would gladly give my life to someone with this much heart and life, that offers so much to humanity. We can all take a lesson from ALex and that is a F.A.C.T.