New York student raised $22,000 for childhood cancer research via lemonade stand
Ava Marie Musci has been named one of Central New York's Best and Brightest after a decade of fundraising.
Ava Marie Musci of Liverpool, New York, has raised $22,000 for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation over the last 10 years. According to the Times of India, the funds have helped finance 450 hours of childhood cancer research.
Musci began her fundraising efforts at age eight after learning about the foundation. What started as a neighbourhood lemonade stand grew into a community-supported activity involving organisations such as Wegmans, Costco, Walmart, and the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office.
The student was recently honoured as one of 20 recipients at the 2026 Best and Brightest Awards. The event, organised by Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard, took place on November 5 at the Redhouse Arts Center in Syracuse.
Sarah McIntosh of the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation said Musci's work shows strong leadership skills and an ability to rally people to make a difference.
Musci, a high school senior graduating in 2027, is currently involved in the BOCES New Visions Criminal Justice Program. She also participates in soccer, wrestling, and the marching band.
After completing high school, Musci plans to attend the University at Albany to study criminal justice and forensics or digital forensics.