'L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade' Raises $1.3 Million+ For Childhood Cancer Research

The 8th annual L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade Stand was a sweet success, raising more than $1.3 million for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, breaking last year's record. Held once again on the campus of The University of California Los Angeles, the Sept. 9 event gathered more than 100 chefs, mixologists, and vintners to serve more than 2,200 generous guests to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research.

This year's event included chefs Adam Perry Lang, Giada De Laurentiis, April Bloomfield, Nancy Silverton, Chris Bianco, Donald Link, Jonathan Waxman, Michael Cimarusti, and Marc Vetri, and many more. Guests tasted wines from more than 50 vintners and cocktails by expert mixologists, including Eric Alperin (The Varnish), Neal Bodenheimer (Cure), and Christiaan Röllich (Lucques). Return supporters included Jimmy Kimmel, Joe Mantegna, Timothy Olyphant, Bailee Madison, and Kirsten Vangsness.

Jay and Liz Scott, Alex's parents and co-executive directors of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, gave an inspiring speech about how we all can make a difference. Patrick Scott, Alex's older brother, recited a letter he wrote to his sister on the 13th anniversary of her death following a brave cancer fight.

A live and silent auction raised more than $640,000 with lots including a women's-chef dinner to be presented by Bloomfield, De Laurentiis, Suzanne Goin, Nancy Oakes, and Sherry Yard; and an impromptu dinner coordinated with Kimmel and chefs such as Waxman and Bianco, which raised $200,000.

And in the spirit of little Alex, who started the whole thing with her front-yard lemonade stand to "fight childhood cancer, one cup at a time," the event's Kids Campaign collectively raised more than $50,000 from kids' lemonade stands, bake sales, and other creative activities. For more information about Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and how you can help, go online.