'This brings them hope': Lemonade stand raises thousands for cancer research, treatment
Business is booming for a group of three 10-year-old girls selling lemonade in River Heights this summer.
So far, they’ve raised nearly $7,000 for CancerCare Manitoba through an initiative called Lemonade Stands for Hope – a cause that hits close to home for the trio.
“Our moms have cancer – like mine, Ellie’s and my friend Asha’s,” Wynn Mitchell told CTV News. “It’s good that we’re raising money for research and treatment.”
Whipping up pitchers of ice-cold lemonade is their way of pitching in to help.
“When my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I kind of felt like I couldn’t help,” Ellie Whetter said. “But now, I feel like I can help them.”
The girls are involved in every aspect of the business; they mix up the summertime drink, create colourful posters promoting the lemonade stand, and even use the latest technology to maximize donations.
“QR codes really help,” Asha Desai explained. “We made our own QR codes for a link, so they can donate on the spot if they don’t have change.”
Wynn Mitchell, Asha Desai and Ellie Whetter design posters for their next Lemonade Stand for Hope on July 10, 2024. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg)
However, the lemonade stand is much more than just dollars and cents for the group. They said it’s a way to build friendship, strength in the face of adversity, and most importantly, hope.
“I think there’s a lot of joy,” Cynthia Mitchell, Wynn’s mother, told CTV News. “I think that there’s a lot of pride and excitement, and I think the girls have talked a lot about hope. This brings them hope, but they can also see it’s bringing us hope and hopefully many other families affected by cancer.”
Money raised through Lemonade Stands for Hope funds CancerCare Manitoba research, treatment, and care throughout the province.
Cynthia Mitchell, who was diagnosed with a rare form of bile duct cancer, said CancerCare Manitoba’s work is critical for patients like herself.
“It is really giving me more time with my family," Mitchell said. "Traditional chemotherapy treatments and surgery weren’t effective in my case. So, research for me really is hope. It’s care and it’s what’s keeping me alive.”
The girls are organizing one more pop-up lemonade stand for a weekend in August.
A full map of Lemonade Stands for Hope happening throughout the province this summer is available on CancerCare Manitoba’s website.
Wynn Mitchell, Asha Desai and Ellie Whetter design posters for their next Lemonade Stand for Hope on July 10, 2024. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6981644.1722281245!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Report reveals widespread discrimination at highest level of Canada's public service
A group of workers' rights organizations is calling for the removal of top executives in the federal public service, after an internal audit obtained through an Access to Information request revealed a workplace culture of racial stereotyping, micro-aggressions and verbal violence within the Privy Council Office.
Family rents Quebec woman's pool on app without her consent
A woman who lives east of Montreal in Repentigny came home to a pool party on Sunday after a family of five had rented it on the Swimply app without the consent of the homeowner.
'I feel so betrayed': Toronto police warn of new pick-pocket 'distraction thefts'
Toronto police are looking into two separate distraction-style thefts in the city this summer — one of which was caught on camera.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper opts out of Harris VP vetting: AP sources
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper opted not to be a candidate in Vice-President Kamala Harris' running mate search, two people familiar with the matter said Monday.
Gunmen on jet skis open fire at rival drug dealer at a beach in Cancun, killing a 12-year-old boy
Gunmen riding jet skis opened fire at a rival drug dealer on a beach in the resort town of Cancun, killing a 12-year-old boy before fleeing, Mexican authorities said.
How much does King Charles III make from his billion-dollar Duchy?
When King Charles III ascended to the throne, he gave up the billion-dollar estate he had been in possession of for 70 years, but financial disclosures show he generated a $48-million surplus last year.
Ashley Callingbull becomes first Indigenous woman to win Miss Universe Canada
Ashley Callingbull has become the first Indigenous woman to win Miss Universe Canada.
Northern lights may be visible again in parts of Canada, the U.S. this week
Stargazers may have another chance to see the northern lights over the next few days in Canada and parts of the United States.
2 children dead and 11 people injured in stabbing rampage at a dance class in England, police say
A stabbing at a children's dance class in northwest England on Monday killed two children and injured nine other people, police said. A 17-year-old boy was arrested and a knife seized after the bloody attack, police said.