Kids and lemonade stands—they're inseparable. But a couple of lemonade stands in the Rochester area this weekend will be run by adults, not kids, though children are the ultimate beneficiaries.
The Benoit Lab at the University of Rochester holds its 2nd annual Lemonade Stand this Saturday and Sunday at the Rochester and Brighton public markets. Danielle Benoit, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, and her fellow researchers will be handing out the lemonade and explaining their work on childhood cancer therapies.
"Cancer affects children differently than it does adults," said Benoit. "The causes are unknown and the treatments are less-than-optimal since they were developed for adults." Cancer is also the leading cause of death for children 15 and younger.
The Lemonade Stand is part of a national effort organized by Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which helps fund Benoit's research. The name comes from Alexandra "Alex" Scott of Connecticut, a four-year-old girl who was diagnosed with cancer before her first birthday. She set up lemonade stands every year before her death at age 8 to raise money so that doctors could find a cure for cancer. The idea spread and children in other parts of the country set up their own lemonade stands to join the cause.
The Benoit Lab Lemonade Stand can be found this Saturday, June 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rochester Public Market, and Sunday, June 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Brighton Farmers Market, 1150 Winton Road South.
Benoit hopes to raise $1,000 from the two-day event.
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You can visit the following links for more information:
Alex's Lemonade Stand: http://www.alexslemonade.org/
Danielle Benoit: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/bme/people/faculty/bio/?id=385
Benoit Lab: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/labs/Benoit-Lab/
Biomedical Engineering: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/bme/