Alexandra
"Alex" Scott was born to Liz and Jay Scott in Manchester, Connecticut
on January 18, 1996, the second of four children.
Shortly before her first birthday, Alex was diagnosed
with Neuroblastoma, a type of 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. Just two weeks later, Alex slightly moved her
leg at her parents' request to kick. This was the first indication of who she
would turn out to be - a determined, courageous, confident and inspiring child
with big dreams and big accomplishments.
By her second birthday, Alex was crawling and able to
stand up with leg braces. She worked hard to gain strength and to learn how to
walk. She appeared to be beating the odds, until the shattering discovery
within the next year that her tumors had started growing again. In the year
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 doctors to allow them to "help other kids,
like they helped me." True to her word, she held her first lemonade stand
later that year and raised an amazing $2,000 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
and her cause.
In August of 2004, Alex passed away at the age of 8,
knowing that, with the help of others, she had raised over $1 million to help
find a cure for the disease that took her life. Alex's family - including
brothers Patrick, Eddie, and Joey - and supporters around the world are
committed to continuing her inspiring legacy through Alex's Lemonade Stand
Foundation.
Alex Scott and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation have been
honored with numerous awards, including:
Two awards have been named
in Alex's memory. Volvo Cars created the
Alex Scott Butterfly Award which was given to a child who, like Alex,
demonstrated extraordinary conscience, care, and character in helping others.
The Philadelphia 76ers have renamed their community service award - The
Hometown Hero In The Spirit of Alex Scott Award.
“We have heard people say that Alex lost her battle with
cancer. We believe that this could not be farther from the truth. Alex won her
battle in so many ways….by facing her cancer every day but still managing to
smile; by never giving up hope; by living life to the fullest; and by leaving
an incredible legacy of hope and inspiration for all of us”.
Jay
and Liz Scott, Alex's parents
-Smt.
Anitha Ashok, Niratanka
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