Child Cancer Fighter To Raise Money with Lemonade Stand

Little more than a week after finishing treatment for Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), first-grader Frances Abu Shanab will host a lemonade stand in Codornices Park to raise money for children with cancer through the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. 

Frances, known as Franny to her friends, is hosting this stand from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to celebrate the end of her treatment and thank all those who helped her throughout the past 26 months. Frances also hopes to bring additional awareness and support to other children with cancer during this month of National Childhood Cancer Awareness. 

The Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is a charity that funds cancer research and provides resources for children with cancer. The organization encourages people to raise money by hosting lemonade stands and other events in their local communities — an idea inspired by 4-year-old Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who was diagnosed with cancer before her first birthday. From the age of four, Alex hosted lemonade stands in her front yard to help doctors find a cure for childhood cancer. Alex died in 2004 at the age of eight, and the Foundation bearing her name evolved soon after. Alex's Lemonade Stand now has thousands of volunteers across the country and has raised more than $45 million and funded 200 research projects nationally. 

Frances, who was born and lives in Berkeley, completed kindergarten at Bentley School while going through treatment. She finished treatment on Sept. 9 and is currently cancer-free, although must still see her oncologist regularly for the next few years. 

WHAT: Frances Abu Shanab Hosts Alex’s Lemonade Stand During National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

WHEN: Saturday Sept. 17th, 2011, 11am – 1pm

WHERE: Codornices Park, 1201 Euclid (Between Euclid and Bayview), Berkeley