Langhorne Teen Hosts Car Show Cancer Fundraiser

Continuing his efforts in the battle against childhood cancer, 16-year-old Riley Gillespie will host his annual Annual Alex’s Lemonade Stand and Car Show at Maple Point Middle School on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Riley’s event has continued to grow over the years, and in 2013 will include a bake sale, games, raffles and of course lots of lemonade. Appearances by the Chick-Fil-A Cow, “Red” from Red Robin and the Neshaminy High School Cheerleaders will cap off the day. Making the day especially poignant, the event will take place during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 

Riley first became involved with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation after being personally affected by childhood cancer. In 2003 at the age of 6, Riley’s best friend Jeremey Garcia was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). 

Over the next 3 years of Jeremey's treatment, Riley saw what his friend had to go through. When Jeremey was preparing to have his last chemotherapy, Riley learned of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and decided to hold a stand to celebrate.

Since Riley's first stand, five more of his friends have fought childhood cancer. Riley realized the grim reality of cancer when in early 2009 he lost two of those friends Leah Chapman, 14 and Dayna Irwin, 15. At this year’s stand he will be honoring all six of his friends. 

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). At the age of 4, Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. 

Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. 

To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $60 million towards fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 300 research projects nationally.