Lexi is a "NEW HERO"

Jen, Lexi's mom mentioned this on her Caring Bridge journal update so I thought I would see what I could find out about it, so here it is, the video and article from NBC4


Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

The kids manning the lemonade stand may not be shouting at passing cars or at the people on the sidewalk. But you can't miss them. They hold their signs high and they just exude enthusiasm. Their smiles are like magnets, pulling you toward their table.

They're first graders from the Ohio School for the Deaf. The lemonade stand started last year as a volunteer project for OSD's upperclassmen but the younger students wanted to get involved, too.

This year, they're raising money for pediatric cancer and, specifically, for a friend who's in the middle of a year-long battle with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer.

Seven-year-old Alexis Howard has endured six rounds of chemotherapy, radiation treatments, a painful transplant using her own stem cells and is even part of a research study. She's a fighter.

Alexis' dad, Scot Howard, says neuroblastoma is often misdiagnosed because it produces symptoms similar to other ailments. Alexis' tumor was discovered during an x-ray. Before it was detected, it had grown so large that it fractured several bones in her spine. Doctors started her cancer treatment immediately.

"It's just been amazing how fast people have come together and just helped and want to help. People you don't even know. I just can't say enough about that," Scot says, getting a little emotional.

"Some of the bills are $30,000 for this and $10,000 for that, y'know," he says. The medical bills are a strain on the family budget but they're getting by thanks, in part, to the support and generosity of people like these.

The students from OSD raised more than $1700 last year. They are hoping to raise even more this year.

The OSD students will be at their lemonade stand through Friday, May 7, 11:45am - 1:15pm, on the sidewalk in front of Panera Bread, 4519 North High Street in Clintonville.

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