Eighth Annual Alex Scott Phone Bank Sets New Record With $2 Million Plus In Pledges For Pediatric Cancer Research
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- CBS 3 and The CW Philly's eighth annual Alex Scott Phone Bank, a 14-hour on-air benefit for the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, raised more than $2 million ($2,010,461) for pediatric cancer research today, a record for the fundraiser which began in 2007. Over its eight years on-air, the event has raised more than $ 9 million for the cause.
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of 4-year-old cancer patient Alexandra "Alex" Scott whose lemonade stands for cancer research launched a national fundraising movement that has only grown since her death in 2004. The fundraiser helps kick off Lemonade Days 2014 (June 6-8) when thousands of volunteers from coast-to-coast will raise money for the Foundation by hosting lemonade stands of their own.
PHOTOS: 2014 Stand For Hope Phone Bank
A Stand for Hope, the Alex Scott Phone Bank, aired in special segments and "Alex hours" from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the broadcast day on both stations. Segments were also streamed live on CBSPhilly.com. CBS 3's Chris May, Jessica Dean, Beasley Reece, Ukee Washington, Erika von Tiehl, Pat Ciarrocchi, Kathy Orr, Kate Bilo, Katie Fehlinger, Natasha Brown and Stephanie Stahl spearheaded the effort on-air.
CBS News Correspondent Tracy Smith, a longtime supporter of the charity, co-hosted the 3 p.m. hour of the on-air event. Actors America Ferrera and Jay Baruchel (How to Train Your Dragon 2) , Bailee Madison (Brothers, Parental Guidance), Gervase Peterson (Survivor), Astro (The X Factor, Earth to Echo) and Food Network star and Alex's Lemonade Foundation Board Member Marc Summers (Unwrapped, Ultimate Recipe Showdown) also supported the cause on site in addition to Eagles great Ron Jaworski and the entire Philadelphia Soul team.
On-air personalities from CBS RADIO also joined their TV partners in the fight against childhood cancer. Ross Brittain, Valerie Knight and Frank Lewis of the Breakfast Club at 98.1 WOGL helped staff the phones joined by radio colleagues Rich Zeoli from Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Al Morganti of SportsRadio 94 WIP and KYW Newsradio 1060's Tim Jimenez along with Alex's parents, Liz and Jay Scott
"The generosity of our viewers and the local business community will make a real impact for the many children and families coping with childhood cancer," says CBS 3/CW Philly President and General Manager Jon Hitchcock. "We are honored to support the Scott family in their mission to realize their daughter's dream to help other children."
"We could not think of a better way to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of our daughter Alex's million dollar challenge than by raising more than $2 million with our
CBS 3 and CW Philly family," says Liz Scott, Alex's Mom and Co-Executive Director of the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. "Thanks to the continued generosity of the entire Philadelphia area, we are moving closer to achieving Alex's dream – a cure for all kids with cancer."
In addition to contributions from viewers, area businesses that contributed to the fundraiser included Applebee's/Corner Bakery, Volvo, Just Born Candies, Power Home Remodeling Group, Northwestern Mutual, Five Below, TD Bank, IBEW Local 98, Sugar House Casino, Ronald McDonald House Charities and St. Aloysius Academy.
CBS 3 acknowledges the support of Local Tri-State Toyota Dealers, Ashley Furniture Home Store, The Malvern School and CBS RADIO in making this special fundraising effort possible.
CBS 3 (KYW-TV) and The CW Philly 57 (WPSG-TV) are part of CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation
ALEX SCOTT SPECIAL
Alex Scott: A Stand for Hope, a moving half hour special that tells Alex's story, will air Friday, June 6th at 10:30 p.m. on the CW Philly and Saturday, June 7th at 7:00 p.m. on CBS 3. The show will be rebroadcast at other times throughout the summer on both stations and distributed throughout the country by CBS Affiliate Relations.
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