Jewell Lab to Host Bethesda Lemonade Stand to Support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

Bethesda, Md.—Beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2014, the Jewell Research Lab in the University of Maryland’s Fischell Department of Bioengineering will host a lemonade stand to help spread the word about pediatric cancer and opportunities for bioengineering to improve treatments for those cancers.

In support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s (ALSF) National Lemonade Days initiative, the Jewell Lab team will come together at 4801 Bethesda Ave. in Bethesda, Md., to talk about cancer research, how nanotechnology can help in the fight against cancer, distribute goodies and offer lemonade for donations to ALSF.

Founded by Alex Scott in 2004, National Lemonade Days is a three-day national event that grew out of Alex’s front-yard lemonade stand, and is held every year over the same weekend in June. Later in 2004, a form of cancer known as neuroblastoma claimed Alex’s life, but not before she inspired countless volunteers to rally in support of the fight against cancer. During National Lemonade Days, dedicated volunteers host thousands of Alex’s Lemonade Stands across the country, raising more than $1 million for childhood cancer research. June 2014 marks the 11^th annual Lemonade Days, and it is estimated that 10,000 volunteers at more than 2,000 Alex’s Lemonade Stands across the country will team up to make a difference for children with cancer this June 6, 7 and 8.

Those unable to participate in Sunday’s event in Bethesda can contribute to the Jewell Research Lab's virtual stand or text “LEMONADE E1114656” to 85944 to make a $10 donation to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

The cause is one that resonates with the Jewell Research Lab. Recently, Jewell received a three-year, $375,000 research grant to support the pre-clinical development of a cancer vaccine technology that could give children like Alex a better chance to live a long and happy life. The prototype vaccine uses a unique combination of nanotechnology and immunology to “raise an army” of tumor-hunting immune cells, equip them to attack neuroblastoma, and leave them ready to reactivate if the cancer returns.

Jewell is an expert in immunomodulation, an emerging field that explores the ability to direct the body’s immune system response to target a specific disease. Visit http://jewell.umd.edu to learn more about the Jewell Research Lab, and visit http://www.alexslemonade.org/ to learn more about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

View the event flyer for additional details about the Jewell Research Lab's June 8 initiative.

Published June 4, 2014