Alex’s Lemonade Stand fights childhood cancer

More than $87,000 was raised this month at the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s regional event. Hundreds of cups of lemonade were sold at 26 stands located in Hy-Vee stores in St. Joseph, Kansas City, Lawrence and Topeka. More than 700 volunteers, including local childhood cancer survivors and their families, participated. All proceeds benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer.

The event’s success will continue the regional effort’s reign as the second largest Alex’s Lemonade Stand fundraiser in the United States. Since the local effort began in 2004, more than $400,000 has been raised. Proceeds have funded childhood cancer research grants at Children’s Mercy Hospital and the University of Kansas Medical Center, both in Kansas City.

The regional effort also has one more event to help reach its $95,000 goal for 2009. A 24-hour comedy marathon sponsored by Loaded Dice: The Bad Boys of Comedy will conclude this year’s events. Comedy shows will begin at 9 p.m. on June 19 at the Westport Coffee House Theatre, 4010 Pennsylvania Ave. in Kansas City. It will conclude at 9 p.m. June 20. There will be many types of comedy acts featured. More information is available at www.kcloadeddice.com/LEMONADESTAND.html. Proceeds will benefit the regional Alex’s Lemonade Stand effort.

For more information or to donate to the local cause, visit www.AlexsLemonade.org/KCLemonade.

Heartland nurses to present check to Second Harvest

The 2009 Heartland Health Nurses’ Week Committee will make a presentation to Second Harvest of Greater St. Joseph during a reception from 1 to 2 p.m. June 18 in Oak Rooms I and II at Heartland Regional Medical Center.

This year, Heartland nurses raised $9,500 for Second Harvest of Greater St. Joseph. Second Harvest is a private, non–profit affiliate that has been serving low-income residents in Northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas since 1981. Nearly 25,000 people each month rely on emergency and supplemental food provided by Second Harvest and its member network of 125 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.

The money was raised during the celebration of the annual Nurses’ Week in May, through a variety of activities.

Lifestyles reporter Erin Wisdom can be reached at ewisdom@npgco.com.