By Ed Martin, Editor
Michael Avila will be helping to fight cancer as he and friends sell lemonade on June 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 445 South 19th Ave. in Lemoore.
Michael Avila will be helping to fight cancer as he and friends sell lemonade on June 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 445 South 19th Ave. in Lemoore.

Two Valley families are turning lemons into lemonade – all for the ongoing fight against cancer. Youngsters, Michael Avila and Jocelyn Flores, met during their cancer diagnoses and treatment for retinoblastoma, a type of cancer that starts in the retina. Now, with the help of their families, they’re fighting back by helping to fund childhood cancer research.

And they’re going to do it the old-fashioned way, with a lemonade stand, which they’ll set up at Michael and mom’s house on Saturday, June 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.  445 S. Lemoore, 19th Ave. in Lemoore, near P.W. Engvall School.

Jocelyn Flores will take part in "Lemonade Days" on June 2 when she joins Michael from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in their effort to fund cancer research.
Jocelyn Flores will take part in "Lemonade Days" on June 2 when she joins Michael from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in their effort to fund cancer research.

Michael, just two ½ years old, and his mom, Veronica Araiza, along with Jocelyn and her mother, Melissa Flores, will be working through the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), an organization founded by Alex Scott (1996-2004).  At four years old Scott created “Lemonade Days” and watched as it grew to a national event. Held every June, an estimated 10,000 volunteers host over 2,000 lemonade stands around the nation to help make a difference for kids with cancer.

“We found each other on Facebook and became friends,” said Veronica Flores of discovering Jocelyn and her mother. “Our kids are the same age. We decided to partner up to raise money for childhood cancer awareness.”

Veronica will even see if friends want to donate baked goods to sell on that day.

“Because this diagnosis is rare, we were under the impression he (Michael) was the only one in our county until we met Jocelyn,” said Veronica. Both children went through diagnosis and treatment together.

Since Alex held that first lemonade event, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised more than $150 million.

Michael and Jocelyn are about the same age, and both have lost an eye to cancer. They hope to raise at least $50, which will fund an hour of research.

For more information or to donate, visit the 2 RB Warriors;’ Fundraising Page.