🍋 Anthem LemonAid continues through Sunday: 'Support kiddos who are fighting cancer'

RICHMOND, Va. — Anthem LemonAid, which raises money to help children fight cancer at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, continues through Sunday.

The annual three-day fundraiser in its 26th year has grown into a regional movement, raising more than $325,000 last summer alone — a record at the time — and more than $3.75 million since it launched. Click here to make a donation.

"I don't view this as a sponsorship. I view this as a partnership," Anthem Virginia President Monica Schmude said. "It's amazing how something as simple as a lemonade stand has really brought this community together."

🍋 MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Click here for list of Anthem LemonAid stands!

Schmude said keeping cancer care close to home is at the heart of the initiative.

"We like to keep that care here. We want to make sure that families in our region have the kind of care that they need for their kids diagnosed with cancer right here in Virginia, right in central Virginia, and there's nothing better than helping those families go through probably the hardest times in their life," Schmude said.

All funds raised go directly to support hematology and oncology services at the hospital, according to Vaughan Clark, a special events officer for the Children's Hospital Foundation.

"This is a great way for the community at large to come together and support kiddos who are fighting cancer and their families down at the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU," Clark said.

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Anthem has been the title sponsor of the event since its founding. Josh Kugelman, a vice president of sales at Anthem, said the company's involvement goes beyond financial support.

"It teaches kids how to give back. This is children helping children. If you start that at a young age and you learn those lessons, then they're just going to take that all the way through their lives with them," Kugelman said.

Kugelman added that Anthem's roughly 3,000 Richmond-area associates help drive the grassroots effort across the community. He is also part of a newly formed corporate council through the Children's Hospital Foundation aimed at getting more employers involved in the campaign.

Schmude echoed the community-wide impact.

"These families in our communities need us. They're going through such a hard time," Schmude said. "Imagine having to navigate family schedules, and on top of that, having to come to treatment at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU on a frequent basis. It's disruptive to the families, and we want to do everything we can to provide the kind of support that they need from us."

WATCH: Willow Lawn Chick-fil-A donates $3,332 to Anthem LemonAid

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PHOTOS: Anthem LemonAid stand at CBS 6

This year's ambassador is 6-year-old John, who knows firsthand what those families go through. He was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2023 during his first visit to the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. What followed was a long treatment journey supported by his care team, family, and friends.

"It's every parent's worst fear, and for us, it became reality," his parents, Ryan and Kaitlyn, said. "There were days we didn't know how we would get through, but the team at CHoR never left our side. Through their compassionate care, our faith and advances in treatment, they helped carry our family to the other side of this journey, and for that we are so thankful."

John rang the ceremonial bell marking the end of his treatment in December 2025. Now a kindergartener, he has regained his strength and energy and enjoys playing tee-ball, practicing jiu-jitsu, and riding his skateboard with his siblings and friends.

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Stands are hosted by families and organizations all over the city. All registrants received lemonade mix, a pitcher, 100 cups, a banner, stickers and printed instructions for turning in funds.

Anthem LemonAid is made possible by generous community members and sponsors, including Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Richmond Ford and support by WTVR CBS 6.