Warriors For A Cure, a Wilton-based team participating in the “Alex’s Million Mile” initiative, kicked off its month-long effort to support pediatric cancer awareness last Saturday, Sept. 1. The team ran through downtown Wilton in bright yellow lemon suits and Warriors for a Cure t- shirts to bring attention to the cause. The run also marked the beginning of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
“Alex’s Million Mile” is an annual program hosted by Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in which affiliated teams from around the country attempt to run, walk and ride a collective total of one million miles before the month is up to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research.
Founded by Wilton residents Jeff Snyder (who ran in a lemon costume) and David Pennino, Warriors for a Cure has remained a top fundraising team for the past five years. Previously, the team has raised over $100,000 for pediatric cancer research.
The cause is particularly near to Snyder’s heart, as his daughter Kennedy was diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer when she was 2 years old. Snyder and his company, Inspira Marketing Group, consistently work to support Alex’s LemonadeStand Foundation throughout the year by participating in various events such as the Million Mile initiative.
Warriors For A Cure is open for all to join, and offers organized runs, spin classes, and events throughout the month of September. To join the team or make a donation, please visit the website.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). At the age of 4, Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer.Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of volunteers across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $150 million toward fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 800 research projects nationally.