MAKE AN IMPACT ON PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH BEFORE SUMMER'S END: TRY SOME VIRTUAL LEMONADE!
Help Volvo's Lemonade Stand for life reach 210,000 cups sold by Labor Day 2008
First-of-its-kind virtual lemonade stand raising money for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
IRVINE, Calif. (Aug. 19, 2008) - Summer is almost over, but the fight to eliminate pediatric cancer charges ahead. The world's first virtual lemonade stand, http://www.lemonadestandforlife.com/ was launched by Volvo Cars of North America in June and continues to sell very special cups of lemonade on behalf of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF).
Volvo kicked off the grand opening of the stand by purchasing the first 200,000 cups. Since then thousands of generous virtual lemonade stand patrons from all over the U.S. have bought cups of their own on the site. Each cup cost only $1 and 100 percent of the proceeds funds pediatric cancer research. So far, $207,772 has been raised.
Anyone, 24/7, can purchase virtual cups of lemonade at the online lemonade stand. And to help spread the word about the important work that ALSF is doing, purchasers can share cups of lemonade from the stand-via email-with family and friends.
Volvo is getting the word out in August with the hope to pass the 210,000 cups sold mark by Labor Day, Sept. 1, 2008.
"The virtual lemonade stand is off to a great start," said Doug Speck, president and chief executive officer for Volvo Cars of North America. "Volvo retailers, our customers and our employees at our headquarters have rallied behind this effort and we are very grateful. Now we want to finish off the summer in a big way by reaching 210,000 cups sold by Labor Day. There is no easier way to get involved in finding a cure for pediatric cancer."
Lemonade Stand for life is just one click away at http://www.lemonadestandforlife.com/. Stop by if you are in the neighborhood.
About Volvo and ALSF
Alex and her lemonade stands first caught the attention of Volvo in 2002 when she received an inaugural Volvo for life Award nomination. The awards program honors hometown heroes doing extraordinary things in their communities. Alex's determination and unwavering support for pediatric cancer research earned her a Volvo for life Award at the 2003 ceremony in New York City. Despite her deteriorating health, Alex continued to raise money through her stands.
In 2004, Alex set a remarkable goal: call upon the nation to raise $1 million to fight pediatric cancer before the year's end. Sadly, Alex died Aug. 1 at the age of 8, having raised an amazing $700,000. Volvo promised to help Alex reach her $1 million goal, and the company's employees and retailers did so in October of that year - by selling lemonade.
By the end of 2004, one little girl had made a world of difference, raising $1.5 million. Since then, Volvo has shown unwavering support of ALSF, helping to keep the inspiration and legacy of Alex alive. To date, ALSF has raised more than $19 million.
More About Volvo
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA) is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Corp. of Göteborg, Sweden. VCNA provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees Volvo operations in Canada and Mexico.
More About ALSF
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 volunteers 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 $19 million towards fulfilling Alex's dream of finding a cure, funding over 80 research projects nationally including those examining leukemia, brain tumors, neuroblastoma, Wilm's tumor, lymphoma, and osteosarcoma among others.
###
Media: Kim McMartin, Haberman & Associates, 612-372-6464, kim@habermaninc.com
