Ewa Beach Family Sells Lemonade For Cancer Research
There’s a new band of heroes in town, and they’re hoping to spread the word and find cures for all children with cancer.
The Mallorys in Ewa Beach have been dubbed “Hero Family State Representatives.”
The Mallory family, comprised of (front, from left) Lily, Bella, Kiera, (back) Phil, Jen and Phillip of Ewa Beach, are Hero Family State Representatives and are working to find cures for children affected by cancer — all in the name of nonprofit Alex’s Lemonade State Foundation. Find them selling lemonade for a good cause June 13 in Ewa Beach. PHOTO COURTESY THE MALLORY FAMILY.
It’s all part of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), a nonprofit organization that seeks to find cures for all children afflicted with cancer.
As one of 49 other families throughout the nation (one for each state), the Mallorys will represent Hawaii during Alex’s Lemonade Days, set for June 12-14 across the U.S.
It began in 2000, when then-4-year-old Alexandra “Alex” Scott decided to host a lemonade stand, with proceeds going to find cures for children with cancer. A cancer patient herself, Scott died in 2004.
Today, Alex’s Lemonade Days is a three-day volunteer fundraiser that commemorates Scott and a challenge she set at the age of 8 to raise $1 million. To date, ALSF has far surpassed that goal and has raised more than $100 million.
As Hero Family State Representatives, the Mallorys will host their own lemonade stand, encourage others to do the same and inform the community of the foundation’s efforts.
“We feel extremely honored to be chosen as the state representative family for ALSF,” said Jennifer Mallory. “We are very proud to share the word about Alex and her hope to stop childhood cancer because it is our hope, too.”
It’s an initiative of personal significance for the Mallorys, who have a hereditary cancer condition called Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
Jennifer currently is undergoing chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer, and it was discovered that daughter Lily had sarcoma on her leg, as well as a rare form of adrenal cancer.
After surgeries and chemotherapy, there have been no signs of disease in Lily since 2010.
It was also this year that the Mallorys hosted their first lemonade stand, after learning of the organization online.
“We were hardly a year out from our daughter Lily’s chemotherapy and we wanted to do something to help research for kids with cancer,” said Jennifer.
Over the years, the Mallorys found themselves too busy to sign up formally to participate in the event, but they still would set up a lemonade stand on weekends and mail all proceeds to ALSF.
“That’s what I love about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation,” added Jennifer. “Every cup does count!
“You can raise $20 or $2,000 with a stand and it all helps.”
As an ambassador family for ALSF, the Mallorys are available to answer any questions from those who would like to get involved.
“Alex’s Lemonade stands aren’t very well known here on the island yet,” said Jennifer. “I’d love to see that change.
“It’s an easy way for kids to have fun while raising money for a good cause.”
Those who would like to purchase lemonade from the Mallorys can find their stand at the corner of Kaiee and Kaimalie streets in Ewa Beach from 9 a.m. to noon June 13.
Those who can’t make it down to the stand can donate “virtual” cups of lemonade, which can be found online at alexslemonade. org/mypage/11334 96. For more information on Team Mallory, visit alexslemonade.org/campaign/alexs-lemonadedays/hawaii.
