Highlights from CBS 6's Giving You A Voice Cam at Anthem LemonAid: 'Really making a difference'

RICHMOND, Va. — CBS 6 once again hosted an Anthem LemonAid stand outside our historic studios on Broad Street in Richmond on Friday.

Throughout the day, viewers visited the station to donate money that will help young patients at the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

Viewers also had the chance to share their voice with our Giving You A Voice Cam.

Speakers shared personal stories of cancer survival or of loved ones affected by cancer, emphasizing the importance of the event in raising funds and awareness for area kids battling the disease.

Specific contributions and donations are mentioned, including over $1,000 from Wallace Montgomery in Scott's Addition and a challenge to other engineering firms to match or exceed this amount.

"My daughter, Virginia Mathurin, was diagnosed with AML as a two-year-old that was over 30 years ago, and she survives today. Martin Mathurin said. "I don't want any other child to go through that same thing that she did or that her parents did. I brought this to the people I work with at Wallace Montgomery, and they're just such a terrific group of people all the way from the corporate folks in Hunt Valley down to the folks we have here in our Scott tradition office, and everybody there stepped up."

WATCH: Highlights from CBS 6's Giving You A Voice Cam

One woman shared that this was her ninth year supporting Anthem LemonAid.

"My son fought cancer 10 years ago and beat it... so we come every year and support this," she explained.

Another woman, whose niece passed away at age 14, thanked healthcare workers.

"Thank you to all the doctors, all the nurses, everyone that takes care of our kids that are sick," she said. "There's so many that has brain cancer and different cancers... And I'm here to sponsor my niece Maya Smith, who died at the age of 14 — she would be 29 — from brain cancer. I'm here to support her."

Karen Allen, a longtime sales account manager with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, said she and her daughter have been hosting a stand for the past 15 years.

"We're super excited for our 15th anniversary. And this is the 25th anniversary for Anthem LemonAid," Allen said. "My daughter was actually five, so I wanted her to learn at a very early age to start giving back and helping kids with cancer... So come out, get your lemonade. Let's put a squeeze on childhood cancer for these kids."

Richmond fixture Mr. Christmas offered this message: "I know it seems a little too warm, but we never, ever, ever have to forget our kids."

"Mr. Christmas works with children year-round," he said. "Please come down, pick up some lemonade and make a donation for these children. They're the only hope we have."

Some viewers were complimentary of CBS 6's commitment to the community.

"I just want people to know how much fun it is to watch the Channel 6 News," one man said. "The humor, the laughter, the jokes, watching the South's First Television Station. You have a lot of fun."

WATCH: CBS 6 Anthem LemonAid stand raises nearly $26,000

This year's event at CBS 6 raised nearly $26,000 to fight childhood cancer. There is still time to make a donation. Click here to help local kids fight cancer!

The local food scene is also involved in the fundraiser. The CBS 6-sponsored Anthem LemonAid Restaurant Challenge sees area restaurants feature lemon-inspired dishes and donate a portion of their sales to the cause.

This year's participants are Mosaic Restaurant on River Road, Julep's New Southern Cuisine on East Grace Street, ZZQ on Moore Street, The Patio Thai on East Cary Street, Revel Market and Bar on Lakeside Avenue, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery on Sanctuary Trail Drive and area Gelati Celesti locations.

Click here to learn more about Anthem LemonAid or to make a donation.

CBS 6 is committed to sharing community voices on this important topic. Email your thoughts to the CBS 6 Newsroom.

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