Another sign of summer – Anthem LemonAid registration is open!
Every week, a child is diagnosed with cancer in Central Virginia. In June 2015, Caroline Morris was one of them. Since then, she has been undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR).
Caroline now only requires monthly visits to CHoR and is scheduled to be finished with her active treatment in August. Her blonde hair has grown back, after losing it as a side effect of chemotherapy, and her mom, Carla, is quick to express relief at the thought of getting “back to normal and not worrying so much.” For Caroline, the end of her monthly visits will mean more time for library books, acting classes and “Caroline’s Kitchen,” her at-home cooking show.
Caroline set up her first Anthem LemonAid stand last summer, complete with homemade lemon cookies and a matching lemon outfit. Her plans for this summer’s stand are already underway in an effort to give back to CHoR, the hospital that has helped her so much. Caroline’s excited to beat the $764 she raised at her stand last year, and is already thinking about the special lemon-flavored baked good she’ll feature.
Sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Anthem LemonAid is Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ signature summer event and has been helping kids with cancer since 2001. The event is in the second year of a $250,000 commitment to the Infusion Center in CHoR’s Hematology and Oncology Clinic, where children with cancer, like Caroline, receive the chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and immune system boosting infusions they need.
This summer, Richmond-area families, businesses and community organizations, can make a big difference for local kids with cancer by setting up a lemonade stand the weekend of July 14 through 16. It’s free to participate and supplies are provided. Every registered participant will receive lemonade mix, cups, a pitcher, a banner, stickers and sunglasses. Stands can be set up at one of the approved partner retail locations or at a place of participants’ choosing, such as a local business, front yard, or neighborhood pool. Participants will distribute cups of lemonade in exchange for donations and all funds raised will support the $250,000 fundraising goal.
Along with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, other event sponsors include Children’s Hospital Foundation, Virginia Credit Union, RVA Primrose Schools, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kroger, Lakeside Avenue Business Association and Walgreens. Great gratitude goes out to these partners who contribute to the success of Anthem LemonAid year after year.
To register for Anthem LemonAid or to learn more about the event, please visit AnthemLemonAid.com or call 804-228-5934.
