New York girl turns childhood lemonade stand into $22,000 cancer research drive

Ava Marie Musci of Liverpool, New York, was eight years old when she decided to do something to help children fighting cancer. After learning about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, she was inspired by the difference one young girl had made while facing serious challenges of her own.

Ava therefore decided to start a lemonade stand in her neighbourhood and use the money raised to support childhood cancer research.What started as a small effort has continued for a decade now and Ava has raised $22,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, an organisation that supports research into childhood cancer. According to This Is CNY, the money has helped fund 450 hours of cancer research.The initiative has also grown beyond a neighbourhood lemonade stand.

Over the years, several local businesses and organisations have joined her efforts, helping turn the fundraiser into a community-supported activity.Ava's work has also earned her recognition among Central New York's outstanding high school students.