As a child, you may have had a lemonade stand. Or, you likely knew a kid in your neighborhood who ran one. You probably wanted to save up for a new bike or to have money to spend on sweets at the store. Nonetheless, it’s unlikely you started your lemonade to fund brain surgeries. For this little girl, however, that’s exactly why she opened her lemonade shop.
Selling lemonade to fund brain surgeries
Liza Scott is just seven years old. Sadly, she has three life-threatening cerebral malformations. These were discovered earlier this year by neurologists and neurosurgeons after Liza experienced a Grand Mal seizure. Little Liz has Schizencephaly, Parietal Arteriovenous Malformation, and Dural Arteriovenous Fistula which is a rare condition where branches of veins and arteries connect. They are life-threatening and she needs to have surgery urgently.[1]
Saturday, January 30, 2021, our lives and hearts were turned upside down when my sweet, sweet 7-year-old, Liza suffered a Grand Mal seizure. We have learned in the last few weeks that Liza’s brain is extra special.
Mighty Cause
This is where the idea for the lemonade stand was born, to help Liza to fund brain surgeries she desperately needs. She runs her stand from within her mom, Elizabeth Scott’s bakery. The store is called Savage Bakery and is located in Homewood, Alabama.
“As with any medical journey, the overwhelming additional expenses, time away from work, and additional resources needed to keep up with things at home is already piling up. The next year will require a tremendous commitment of our family, our business, and anyone who is willing to join in this journey with us.”
Mighty Cause
The proceeds from every glass she sells goes towards funding brain surgeries. If she does not have these crucial brain surgeries, she could continue to suffer from seizures, hemorrhage, or a stroke.
Liza and her mom face a massive hospital bill
While Liza has insurance, her mom is still required to pay $10,000 out of pocket to help fund brain surgeries for her young daughter. Because Liza’s mom is a single parent to two children, the family is depending on sales at the lemonade stand and donations. Finally, Liza’s mom is struggling and say’s that the unfortunate situation is just not something one can budget for.[2]
If there is anyone who can take lemons and make it to the most amazing Lemonade ever, it is Liza. Selling lemonade (and other special treats) is one of her favorite things to do. So much so I built her a Lemonade Stand so she could sell her sweet creations anytime she wanted outside our family bakery in Homewood, AL. And sell she does, even giving it away for free just because she wants everyone to enjoy.
Mighty Cause
Read: A young mom was misdiagnosed for 11-months. Now she’s lost her battle
It’s not right that Liza needs to fund her brain surgeries
Many remarks about Liza’s situation have highlighted the biggest issue. Why should a little girl even need to fund brain surgeries with a lemonade stand?
While most people left encouraging comments, some comments on her fund brain surgeries page reflect exactly what they think of the medical system. Of course, we could not agree more;
Shame on The United States of America.
Melanie’s Watkins
All the very best. Can’t help but comment from a country where this operation would be free to a land of plenty, shame.
Fred Smith
This is f****d up that a child has to sell lemonade or anything for that matter for surgery in this country.
Rachel Williams
Fortunately, her donations page has raised $299,255 at the time of writing this article. If you’d like to keep up to date with her story, check out her mom’s Facebook page Her Crumbs His Cross.
Keep Reading: ‘I’m a mom-of-eight and my night routine is so busy and chaotic I start at 4:30 pm’
Sources
- “Girl, 7, selling lemonade to fund five-figure brain surgery she needs.” News. Hannah Paine. March 1, 2021
- “A 7-year-old from Alabama is selling lemonade to help pay for her brain surgeries.” Business Insider. Dominic-Madori Davis. February 27, 2021.