Alex and the Power of 1

I am a big believer in the Power of 1.  I believe that one person can make a difference.  I end every one of my blog posts with the words “I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand”.

Alex is Alexandra Scott.  Two days before her first birthday, Alex was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer.  In 2000, when she was four, Alex, like many kids, wanted to set up a lemonade stand in her front yard.  Unlike most kids, she wanted to donate the money she made selling lemonade to the hospital where she was being treated for her cancer...

Alex passed away on August 1, 2004.  She was eight years old.  But, her spirit lives on.  Others have picked up where she left off, holding Alex’s Lemonade Stands all around the US. 

I bought a cup of lemonade at an Alex's Lemonade Stand for $20.00 last night as I was entering the Pepsi Center in Denver to see the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars playoff game.  (The suggested donation for a cup of lemonade is $1.00, but the people running the stand told me that five, ten, twenty and even $100 dollar donations are not uncommon.)

To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stands have generated more than $5,000,000 – yes that’s five million dollars – for pediatric cancer research. 

The simple concept of “Fighting childhood cancer one cup at a time” has enabled children to directly contribute to cancer research.  Today, my mother who lives in Jacksonville Florida sent me an email telling me that she saw an article in the local paper about a five year old girl who held an Alex’s Lemonade Stand. 

In 2005, there were over 1000 Alex’s Lemonade Stands held across the US. 

Gunther Toody’s restaurants  -- a family restaurant, with a retro fifties theme -- sponsored the Alex’s Lemonade Stand outside the Pepsi Center last night.  Beginning May1 and continuing through June 11, each of the five Gunther Toody’s locations in Colorado will have an Alex’s Lemonade Stand directly outside or inside the store.

Promotional material sent out by Gunther Toody’s says the lesson that children learn from holding their own lemonade stands is simple but powerful – every person can make a difference in the world.

Which brings us back to my original point.  I believe in the Power of 1.  One person can make a difference.  In her eight short years on earth, Alexandra Scott inspired a movement that has generated $5,000,000 for pediatric cancer research.

Other people -- by their belief in themselves, strength of will and persistence are making a difference every day –- in their schools, churches, synagogues, communities, and yes, even the large corporations where they work. 

In my “Star Power” keynote speech, I make the point that we can all become stars – in our lives and careers (more on this in future posts).  Becoming a star starts with self confidence.  Self confident people make a difference because they believe that they can make a difference.

Alex Scott believed she could make a difference – and she did.  If a very sick child can make a difference, you can too.  Believe in yourself, and then do what it takes to succeed.  Unleash your personal power of 1!

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  For more common sense career advice, log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS  You can hold your own Alex's Lemonade Stand.  You can find all of the information you need by going to www.alexslemonade.org

Comments

[Patsi Krakoff]

Thanks, Bud. Your story has moved me to tears. I always wondered about Alex's lemonade stand, but was afraid to ask, thinking it might have a sad story involving a child of your own. But this is indeed an uplifting story that should move us all. Thanks for sharing.

[Melonie K. Murray (SmallBizMentor.com)]

What an amazing story! Thank you for posting this, Bud. My Little is five and is just learning about lemonade stands. We'll have to keep an eye out in our area for one of Alex's Lemonade Stands. Lessons to be learned for us all -- what a role model!

[Bud Bilanich]

Thanks Melonie:

If you go to www.Alexslemonade, you will find directions how you and your five year old can hold one of your own Alex's Lemonade Stands.

I have contacted them, and have offered to do a virtual stand -- I will autograph and send one of my books to anyone who makes a five dollar donation. I will autograph my complete library of six books and send to anyone who donates $100. I'm still waiting to hear back from them.

By the way, I came across your blog for the first time today. It's great. I've bookmarked it, and will visit often. Keep up the good work.

BB -- The Common Sense Guy

[Melonie K. Murray (SmallBizMentor.com)]

Wonderful information, Bud; many thanks! I'll be hitting their site soon. I was so inspired by this story that I had to blog it myself.
Please let me know when your virtual stand opens...I want to let the visitors over at SmallBizMentor and Workerette.com know all about it so they can stop by for a "cup".
Thanks also for your kind comments. I appreciate it! Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

[Steven List]

Bravo! And you, too, Bud are exemplifying the Power of 1. Keep it up.