Gamma Sigma Sigma will host a lemonade stand as a part of the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation's national Greek Lemonade War to raise money for children's cancer research.

In 2004, 8-year-old neuroblastoma patient Alexandra Scott decided to open a lemonade stand. Scott told her mother she wanted to help doctors find a cure to help other children like herself suffering from all varieties of childhood cancer. With the help of her parents and three brothers, the first lemonade stand raised an astonishing $2,000 in only one day. Inspired by her efforts, stands began popping up across the country to help Alex raise money to fight cancer.

After Alex lost her battle against cancer later that same year, her parents founded Alex's Lemonade Stand in her honor and continued to raise money for her cause.

By the time the organization was started, Alex and her family and friends around the world had raised more than $1 million. To date, Alex's Lemonade Stand and its partners have raised more than $100 million. Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation takes time to find the best use for the donations they receive. The money raised has contributed to 475 research endeavors, created a travel program to fund children in treatment for childhood cancer and established resources and support to help the children and their families.

Gamma Sigma Sigma will have a lemonade stand from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 8 and 9 in front of Kent Library. At the event, lemonade will be handed out to those who generously donate to the Alex's Lemonade Stand cause. With no set cost for lemonade, students are encouraged to donate what they can and remember that no donation is too small.

March 16 through April 30 is the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation's first national Greek Lemonade War, which allows organized Greek fraternities and sororities at campuses from around the United States to compete nationwide by helping to raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand.

So far, the competition has raised more than $800 across four campuses, which is enough to fund two full days of research at one of the nation's leading facilities, according to alexslemonade.org. While only four schools have started fundraising, 10 more have registered, and registration is still open.The organization that raises the most money will be recognized by the founders, Liz and Jay Scott. The goal of the lemonade war is to inspire college students to give back and to create a collaborative effort across the nation's campuses to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer.

"Our goal is to raise $500 by the end of the lemonade stand," Gamma Sigma Sigma Service Vice President Catalina Mahr, who organized the event, said. "All of the proceeds will be benefiting children with cancer and helping to find a cure."

Along with the stand, the group is also raising money online and encourages anyone who can't make it to the event but wants to donate to visit alexslemonade.org/mypage/1121785.

"This organization is important to Gamma Sigma Sigma because it is one of our National Service Partners. It is important to all of us to raise money to find a cure for childhood cancer," Mahr said. "Alex's Lemonade Stand helps patients by advancing the pace of innovative research and improving the quality of life and care for children and their families."

Maggie Eggleston, a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma's service committee, also had a hand in the setup and planning of the event.

"As college students, we are blessed to be where we are and able to continue our education, and it is important for us to give back and help find a cure so that all children can grow up and live normal lives," Eggleston said. "Gamma Sig has played a huge part nationally with this organization, and we are excited that our chapter can have it on Southeast's campus."