In 2000, when she was just four years old, Alex told her parents she wanted to raise money for cancer research. She chose a time-honored kid's project-a front-yard lemonade stand-but unlike most lemonade stands, she raised $2,000 in a single day. Soon, Alex's friends joined in to help, opening lemonade stands in her name. Word spread about Alex's dream of raising $1 million for pediatric cancer research. On June 12, 2004, she raised nearly $40,000 in three hours at her lemonade stand, while supporters nationwide raised $220,000 in one day at hundreds of Alex's Lemonade Stands nationwide.

Just a few weeks later, on Aug. 1, 2004, the eight-year-old girl finally lost her heroic battle with cancer. But that was not the end of the story. Alex Scott was gone, but her lemonade stand and her dream did not die.

Friends continued to work to achieve Alex's goal. And the owners of the racehorse Afleet Alex, a plucky colt who had also suffered setbacks but went on to win two of the three Triple Crown races in 2005, took up her cause. They donated a portion of Afleet Alex's winnings and convinced racetracks to sponsor Alex's Lemonade Stands whenever the horse was racing.

Corporate sponsors, including Volvo, have also contributed. Alex's mother, Liz Scott, told Beliefnet, "I am thrilled that Alex has been chosen [as a finalist]; it really is incredible to have her remembered by so many. We are now at about $3 million of Alex's $5 million goal for 2005. The most important thing for people to know is that Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is here to stay, and I personally will not stop raising money for childhood cancer research until a cure is found." Alex's legacy of hope lives on.

To make a donation to Alex's Lemonade Stand, click here.

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