September was Children’s Cancer Month, and that is why several Bayonne residents deeply involved in raising funds for cancer research in several towns in Hudson County expanded their efforts through a program called Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
That program will now carry over into October.
Raeann Hempel and her sister Nora Elliot have lived with the disease for years. Hempel said at least three members of her immediate family were struck with cancer, and then, so was she.
It is partly for this reason that both sisters had long been part of fundraising efforts in Bayonne, and both now want to expand that effort to reach out to other communities in Hudson County.
Originally from Union City, where her family members still live, Hempel is a resident of Bayonne and discovered she had stage-two skin cancer for which she was treated, but is still on guard against future outbreaks. Elliot, who is also a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with thyroid cancer 15 years ago, is still fighting the disease.
Both women say their lives have changed as a result of their cancer and made them more conscious of the impact the disease has on other people’s lives – especially children.
Starting a Hudson County chapter of Alex’s Lemonade stand in Bayonne, the two women, along with Shawn Hartrum, are hoping to raise awareness and funds in the rest of the county.
Shawn is a senior in Bayonne High school who said he believes that every child should have a second chance in life.
“We want to focus on all kinds of cancer,” Hempel said. “But because nobody seems to know that September is children’s cancer month, we’ve decided to start there.”
First lemonade stand
The first lemonade stand will be held in Bayonne on Oct. 23, at the Bayonne Medical Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Shawn is the vice president of the Bayonne chapter. Hempel is president, with Elliot and Jessica Diaz working with them.
Childhood cancer covers a variety of ailments that includes leukemia and a number of other cancers. Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under age 15. About 250 kids worldwide die of cancer daily.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation came about as a result of a front-lawn lemonade stand created by cancer patient Alexandra Scott, who at 4 years old decided she would sell lemonade to raise money for cancer research. She died in 2004, but her legacy lives on, evolving into a national movement.
Hempel said the group will raise money through a variety of efforts countywide that will include a bake sale on Oct. 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Vincent’s Church in Bayonne. Hempel said she hopes to reach out to Union City Mayor Brian Stack to get his support for expanding the program there.
“I would also like to meet with [Jersey City] Mayor Steve Fulop,” she said.
They are also reaching out to contacts they have with the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
“I’m trying to set up a meeting with [Rep.] Albio Sires,” Hempel said.
Sires represents a large portion of Hudson County, and as the former West New York mayor and the Assembly speaker representing the 33rd District, he has had valuable contacts throughout North Hudson, she said.
A tentative street fair is scheduled for Oct. 18 in West New York.
“We’re looking for vendors,” Hempel said.
For more information call (551) 655-3342.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com