Alex’s Lemonade Stand Aids Childhood Cancer Research
Danielle Benoit, Ph.D. will leave her Therapeutic Biomaterials Lab at the University of Rochester this weekend to host the 6th Annual Benoit Laboratory Lemonade Stand at the Rochester and Brighton public markets.
Benoit and her students will be serving lemonade and explaining their work on childhood cancer therapies as part of a national effort organized by Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which has helped fund her research.
“Most people don’t realize that treating cancer in children is much different from treating cancer in adults,” said Benoit, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering. “At the same time, funding for childhood cancer research is woefully miniscule, compared to the money that goes into studying adult cancers.”
The name, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, comes from Alexandra “Alex” Scott of Connecticut, a four-year-old girl who was diagnosed with cancer before her first birthday. Alex set up lemonade stands every year before her death at age eight to raise money so that doctors could find a cure for cancer, the leading cause of death for children 15 and younger. The idea spread, and children in other parts of the country set up their own lemonade stands to join the cause.
Benoit hopes to raise $2,000 by the end of the weekend.
Event Details
What: Benoit Laboratory Lemonade Stand
When & Where: Saturday, June 13, 10 am-1 pm, at Rochester Public Market
280 N. Union St.
Sunday, June 10, 9 am-1 pm, at Brighton Farmers Market
1150 Winton Rd. South
