I was going to write an update regarding the great success of Super Cooper's 2nd Annual Alex's Lemonade Stand, but Susan, our hostess, wrote a great note and I could not have said it any better....Dave and I ditto all that she says.  The only thing I would add at this point is that Cooper would have LOVED being at the stand, greeting everyone, hanging with his friends, selling the lemonade and just being social -- he was so good at that.  We miss him terribly, but times like this make it even more apparent.  Thanks so much to everyone for stopping by, for the hugs and helping to keep Cooper's spirit and memory alive.    

Susan's Entry:  First of all, “thank you” a thousand times to everyone who helped fight childhood cancer last weekend by supporting the Second Annual Super Cooper’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand in San Ramon, whether you did that by stopping by, making a donation, baking cookies, pouring lemonade, loaning us your stuff, and/or simply keeping us and Cooper in your thoughts that day. We really do truly appreciate your support.

 Secondly, I wanted to share with you how just how HUGE an impact we had this weekend. We held a lemonade stand so that we could raise money to help fund grants so that there will eventually be a cure for neuroblastoma and other childhood cancers, because, in Alex’s words, “All kids want their tumors to go away.”  It’s a simple idea, and a noble gesture, but it comes with a critical purpose. But can such a simple idea really make a difference?  The resounding answer is, “Yes.”  This one little lemonade stand (one of approximately 2,000 held across the country this weekend), raised, dollar bill by dollar bill and cup by cup, a grand total of $3,247.75 – all in Cooper’s name, all for childhood cancer research. Isn’t that amazing?! From the bottom of our hearts, this entire lemonade team (sharyl, david, sharon, mike, kenny, and myself) say, “thank you” SO much for YOUR part in making this a reality. We need to celebrate!!! 

When I stop to think about it, that is indeed one big number. In fact, that’s one HUGE number, especially for one day, one stand. However, even more than the absolute dollar amount, the real heart-squeezing impact of this wad of cash comes for me most strongly when I look at exactly what it is that we can do with this money. The math shocks me and makes my arms quiver. And here’s the math (don’t worry, it’s not hard!) - believe it or not, the money from this one little lemonade stand ($3,247.75!) is enough to fund over 64 HOURSof research. That’s a lot of hours. Over 64 HOURS  of full-out, mind-bending, man-i’m-glad-there-are-people-out-there-who-are-smarter-than-me, life-extending, life-changing, comfort-giving, cancer-curing medical research. And we did it together, and we did it in Cooper’s name, for him and all the other angels and warriors out there. It really is amazing how much of an impact a few people can have on a surprisingly-warm (!) Saturday afternoon selling lemonade. We truly exemplified the ALSF motto… “Fighting Childhood Cancer . . . One Cup At a Time.”  That’s what we done did on Saturday, and we thank you again for your support.  See you next year!