(Video Above: Lisa Harris shares how the lemonade stand has grown to something much bigger)
Lisa Harris spotted a rainbow in the sky.
If this were any other afternoon, her joy would have been immense. But today, joy was way in the back of her mind and heart. Lisa had just attended her husband’s funeral. And when others who knew him walked out of the funeral home and noticed the rainbow, someone said, “Scott is still painting.”
A little joy came back.
Scott Harris was an art director at o2ideas advertising agency. In 2011, he had a seizure at home in Cahaba Heights. A CT scan found a tumor in his brain and, after surgery, doctors found it was stage-four cancer. The family was told such cancer patients have an average lifespan of 11 months.
After radiation and chemotherapy, Scott did well and life returned to some normalcy.
“We took it day by day,” Lisa said. “My dad died of a brain tumor, so I was familiar with the seriousness of the disease. The tumor grew back after a year, and Scott went on a clinical trial at UAB. He was frustrated and worried about the girls.”
Their two girls, Lucy and Ruby, were 6 and 4. The parents tried to keep their spirits up, but soon Scott was moved to hospice care.
At 5 a.m. on Nov. 12, 2013, Lisa knew her husband was nearing the end. She woke the girls, and they held each other.
“It was tough that day,” Lisa recalled. “I tried to bring up good memories and it worked. The girls cried and laughed at the same time.”
Lisa said the date of 11-12-13 was appropriate for Scott’s personality.
“He was an artist who was quirky, eclectic and hilarious – it figures!”
Before Scott’s death, Ruby suggested a fundraiser for UAB Hospital. May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month, so the girls set up a lemonade stand, and Publix donated lemonade and cookies. The family raised $3,000.
The next year, Lisa, who also works at o2ideas, enlisted the help of her co-workers and they treated Ruby and Lucy as clients. They came up with a plan that included a food truck, live music, an art auction and T-shirt sale in addition to the lemonade and cookies.
They called it “The Lucy and Ruby Brainy Day.” That day they raised $13,000.
Money from the event helps Wheeling for Hope, a nonprofit started by Scott’s clinical trial nurse, whose husband passed away from brain cancer. Wheeling for Hope helps Children’s of Alabama hospital, UAB’s Neuro-Oncology division, brain tumor research and patient support services.
Lisa and the girls dream of it getting bigger.
“We want it to be huge, and we want it to make an impact,” Lisa said. “We would love to see the event go beyond our little story and affect many lives.”
And the biggest reward?
It wasn’t the money raised, or the number of people who contributed; it was the relationships made with people from all over the city who shared a similar story.
“Something very interesting happened,” Lisa said. “People were giving us money, and we were giving it to others. The girls and I feel so blessed that we are able to help people going through tough times.”
Lucy and Ruby are now 10 and 8. They shyly said they are glad their “Brainy Day” is helping others.
And in their eyes, Daddy is still painting rainbows. Even without the rain.
Alabama Bright Lights captures the stories, through words, pictures and video, of some of our state’s brightest lights who are working to make Alabama an even better place to live, work and play. Award-winning photojournalist Karim Shamsi-Basha tells their inspiring stories. Email him comments, as well as suggestions on people to profile, at karimshamsibasha@gmail.com.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Attorney General Luther Strange announced Tuesday that Alabama is joining all 49 other states in a lawsuit against several “phony” cancer charities that allegedly scammed donors out of $187 million while using funds to go on cruises and buy jet skis, concert tickets, and memberships to online dating sites.
The federal court complaint names Cancer Fund of America Inc., Cancer Support Services Inc., and the president of these two corporations, James Reynolds Sr.; as well as the CFO of both and the former president of Cancer Support Services, Kyle Effler; Children’s Cancer Fund of America Inc., and its president and executive director, Rose Perkins; and The Breast Cancer Society Inc., and its executive director and former president, James Reynolds II.
The “charities” claimed to give services including transportation and pain medication to cancer patients.
“The claims defendants made to consumers were lies. Quite simply, they did not operate programs that provided these services,” said Attorney General Strange in a press release Tuesday. “I am pleased that this action presents a united front to combat this shameful charity fraud. Working together, we have stopped these deceptive solicitations throughout Alabama and all states in the nation, which falsely claimed to help children with cancer and breast cancer patients. Litigation continues against Cancer Fund of America to end its despicable practices as well.”
The defendants in the case, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, have come to a tentative settlement, agreeing to pay back the millions of dollars. They would also be barred from working in fundraising or charities. However, the settlement will not be final until it is approved by the federal court.
“These aggressive enforcement actions are necessary to protect consumers, so that they may have confidence in donating to true and worthy charities,” said AG Strange. “This case is a sad example, however, of how important it is to be aware of where your contributions are going and to research to ensure the integrity of charities.”
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015