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LA HABRA, Calif. -- When Max Igoe was 5 years old, breast cancer claimed the life of his mother's best friend, 37-year-old Beth Rorman. The little boy found himself expressing his pain with the kind of idea only a kindergartner might conceive: a lemonade stand.
"It's just the first thing that popped into my head," said Max, now 14.
Nicki Igoe, Max's mother, said her son was aware her friend was sick.
"He knew that she had something called cancer," she recalled. Rorman battled the illness for some 10 years.
Max told his mom he would set up a lemonade stand near their La Habra home, and raise money for breast cancer research. Maybe even help them discover a cure.
"I explained to him that it wasn't the olden days. That people don't buy lemonade from peoples' driveways like they used to," Nicki said.
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But she didn't want to hurt his feelings, either, not while he was mourning "Auntie Beth's" loss. So she helped him mix some juice, prop up a table and hand-print some signs.
This weekend, they will set up Max's stand for the ninth year in a row after years full of hundreds of gallons of pink sweet liquid, numerous raffles, "casino-night" fundraisers and days of labor.
Max has exceeded his wildest dreams: "We've raised over $80,000."
His goal? "A million dollars." And a cure.
Nicki said after every sale, they ask him if he wants to continue, and his answer for the last nine years has been the same: Yes.
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Leave a Comment:
You rock Max! We need more people with a good heart and ambition in the world. Your Mom would be very proud of you!
Thank you. We ARE very proud. We hope to see EVERYONE at the stand this weekend. We are located at 2200 W Imperial Hwy, La Habra, in front of the Green Hills Baptist Church. For more information on Max's Lemonade Stand, including Max's casino night in February and scholarship info, plz see our web site, www.maxslemonadestand.com.
His mom is proud of him; his mom's best friend is the one who passed away......
Wow, this is the kind of story that shows there is still some hope for us and not everyone is selfish .... Great KID!
Yeah, but now that it has been reported on in the news. Some local business will complain to the city that this 'kid' is taking away their lemonade sales. Then the city will shut him down.
Also, do you really think the lottery commission will allow unauthorized 'raffles' without getting their cut?
Believe me I don't agree with it but if you don't think it'll happen, you haven't read the news in a while.
Judas, and then Obama will be blamed.
Some people cannot just leave a nice story alone!
Night you are right, some people have no real love in them.
I am so glad this kid has been taught that loving others is what is more important than anything.
If only everyone could learn that ....
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace
You, you may say
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world
You, you may say
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will live as one
Lennon knew
For the idiots whose only focus to to whine about the government. He has the full support of a number of companies and organizations. On his site you will pix of cops, highway patrol & firemen making donations and you will see he actually does have a tx free organization.
Not that anyone but the miserable would have ever caused trouble. And he was not selling lemonade, he was collecting Donations (Read the Sign). Now go to his site and send a few bucks
http://maxslemonadestand.com/index.html
Awesome story! Awesome kid... would make any parent extremely proud.
Don't worry Wendy W., as soon as Obama gets the blame, it will only take a few moments for him to pass the buck onto "the previous administration". We all know it will be Bush's fault if this kids gets bothered by either a government agency or the Lottery Commission.
Good thing the police didn't come in to smash his stand and put him in the squad car, like a few have done before.
Awesome...hope he had a permit so he doesn't go to jail..
or at least a 501-3c
.... What a great kid !!!
Wise beyond your years... travel well, and do something great with your life... sounds like you have the heart mind and soul to accomplish whatever you choose.
I wouldnt advertise this. Police have been shutting down lemonade stands around the country for not having permits and the government is taxing anything over a hundred bucks acquired. Sad state this country has fallen to, truly sad.
I'll pay his bail.
If he gives his profit to charity he can file (501)(c)(3) if the IRS comes after him.
He doesn't have to file as a 501 if he gives all the money to charity.
I think I would give money for the bail. What a wonderful story.
Thank you, all; we filed a 501(c)3 years ago.
You go Max! We need more stories like this!
This is the first story this year that involves a lemonade stand and doesn't involve the kid running it being shut down or arrested for not having the right permits.
Give it time, it just got reported on.
Or tattled on, which ever way you want to see it.
I have lived with breast cancer for 23 years, the last three with stage IV. I have read many, many stories about children doing good deeds, but this story has touched my heart and gives me hope that in spite of what has become the business of breast cancer, there will be a cure. That cure will not be the result of buying products with pink ribbons on the label, but will come because children like Max grow into adults who will never stop fighting the good fight. It may be Max, or it may be another child who becomes the adult who will unlock the key and find the cure. That is why I will never stop believing that someday, our children will not have to lose their moms or loved ones to breast cancer.
This boy is a hero, as are you shoediva2000. Beautiful thoughts from you, bless your precious heart. Some of you others here with your sarcasm and negativity might want to go drink a big cup of STFU. Caring is the most important thing you can do in this world. I urge all of you to visit a chemo center sometime, and talk to some of the bravest people in the world. They can definitely inspire you, as well as make you realize how lucky you are. They certainly had that effect on me for all of the 52 weeks I was with them during my chemo. Imagine being in a room full of people, people with advanced breast cancer, lung cancer,etc, knowing that a year or two later, probably half of them would be no longer be with us. But most their attitudes were incredible, positive, and very inspiring. We could all learn from Max, many of you would do well to encourage your children to help make this world a better place like he has. Then there would be more survivors of cancer like Shoediva and myself, and maybe someday, no cancer at all.
Thank you for your kind words (and those of Larry Dickman). I agree that breast cancer has become a business, and that saddens me. I ony can hope that profits made from this "business" are shared with research, although I am not that naive to believe that is always the case. Please everyone spread the word, not only about Max's Lemonade Stand, but about pushing for a cure for cancer -- all cancers. I truly believe once there is a break in a cure for any cancer, the rest will follow suit. We will continue fighting till Max reaches his $1 million goal or until there is a cure. Please check our web site -- www.maxslemonadestand.com for information on our upcoming casino night and scholarship information. Thank you to everyone who has provided words of kindness. They are appreciated.
Way to go Max, Your mom is one outstanding woman to have raised such a great young man.
Bravo. Do yourself a favor, don't mention this to the President. He'll tell you that you weren't capable of doing this yourself and that you owe your government a whole lotta money.
Leave it to a right winger to politicize this. As a cancer survivor I say,shut you effing mouth idiot. If I were to put in my political 2 cents I would tell him that he really shouldn't mention it to Romney, he'll be told we don't need a cure because we have emergency rooms.
@Upstate John:
It looks like to me that YOU were just trolling along waiting for somebody to "politicize". That gave you a chance to get your filthy mouth open. And you DID put in you measly 2 cents worth, actually a stupid remark. Go back to your slimepit in Upstate Nobamaville. God Bless this young samaritan.
Oh shut up you ridiculous person.
Ole-Ed you got your head in a spin. upstate john didn't start the BS. It was Mark that started the political foolishness. And you actually seem to be the one looking for an opportunity to run your mouth.
I wonder why his lemonade hasn't been shut down. After all he doesn't have---
A Health Certificate
A Business License
A Building Permit
A Zoning Variance
An EIR(Environmental Impact Report)
Just to name a few things required by law.
How can I do that? I want to start a business!
Slodon, how do you know these facts? Perhaps his folks made sure he was in compliance, maybe the town gave him a waiver. Either way, he is doing a great job and who knows, maybe he will find the cure. We can only hope.
one person always has to be a douche thanks for coming would have been a great world without you
Slodan I hear when you bought a cup of Lemonade it was "Half Empty"
this kid got a heart of gold my the lord come down and take a liked to him
This cancer survivor sees a real hero!
Max you are great. Shows what Americans can do when they put their mind to it.
Lets hope Obama doesn't go out there and claim the government built that lemonade stand.
Great kid! You should be proud, mom. Aunt Beth is smiling!
Yeah real good kid now your parents are going to get screwed by the taxman....
And why would they get screwed by the taxman when he raised the money for charity .
One great kid. The first "official" that dares to make it rough for that boy and/or his family should summarily be put up against a wall and have his/her privates removed. Sans anesthetic.
What this boy is doing is amazing. I would not want to take away from that in any way. However, I always wonder why there isn't just a little more focus on prevention. Do you know that many food manufacturers put PBA in their cans, which leaches into the food? It has been banned in children's products in Canada and Europe, but the same food manufacturers still put it in cans meant for the US. PBA has been linked to all kinds of things, from autism, to asthma, to cancer. And this is just 1 example of a product that is hurting our health.
If Americans were serious about a cure for cancer, why aren't they serious about preventing cancer in the first place? Why are we subjected to products that have been linked to so many possible health problems? The FDA is not protecting us.
Absolutely. Kid should use the money to produce the next www.foodmatters.tv documentary. Focus on the causation, not false hope for a cure which is right in front of your face!
so true fake butter is Polyester and most thing are process with petroleum additives shown to cause cancer and are not even listed in the box
I know Max and his parents since he started ....I contribuite to his foundation ,he is a great kid His mom and dad knows what they are doing so he well established with taxes and licences .GO Max .......Bravo Nicky you did a great job as a parent .
Wow, that is one hell of a kid!!
Max Igoe, I salute you good sir. Your steadfast dedication to the cause you've undertaken is a shining example to us all. Hopefully, persistence will pay off and eventually a cure will be found not only for breast cancer but for all forms of cancer and other ailments as well.
Minute Maid, Newman's Own, Turkey Hill
Having lost my dear sister last yr to Renal cancer. We found that she had been doing several things in the last 27 yrs for women and cancer research as a charitable thing on her part and we never knew this about her considering we were separated by many miles. I applaud anyone and especially our children . It always amazes me to see such an outpouring of empathy from the kids now days . They never cease to amaze me. ROCK ON MAX!!!
I'm surprised he wasn't arrested for "operating an illegal food establishment" or some other charge.
Thats because he is brighter than you and he set up his stand properly
Why do people always have to politcize or use a good story as an excuse to say nasty hateful things to somebody else??? I know everybody likes a good argument, an opportunity to razz somebody for fun, but come on now!!!! Over a kid with a lemonade stand trying to fund raise for cancer research and cures!?!!?!? In this selfish, me, me world it's very refreshing to see a kid that is focused on being a decent person, caring about others and wanting all people to have the opportunity to be alive and healthy!!!! My ONE WISH, that this kid does NOT change as he approaches his teen and adult years. That he doesn't become a rude disrespectful jerk like many of the "so-called" adults posting here tonight.
Bravo to the parents ,family and friends of this kid. Your all doing something right!!! Bravo MAX!!!
If there is a negative possibility some will always seek it.
The rest of us will walk in the glow of this good kid
Way to go, Max!
Proud as I can be for you.
WOW What an inspiration for all to follow. Day after day we read stories of murder, drugs, terrorism, corruption, rapes, thefts, mayhem, just a constant barrage of negativity, then this story pops up. What a shining example of a young man that hasn't been affected by all the negativity but by a desire to set the world on fire. Thank You and keep up the great work, maintain your grades up, respect & listen to your parents and hope one day you grow up to be PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! This is the kind of example our battered country needs.