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4th Annual Alex Scott Phone Bank Sets Million Dollar Record

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A Stand for Hope, the Alex Scott Phone Bank, a 15-hour fundraiser held on CBS 3 and The CW Philly to raise funds for the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, broke the million dollar mark in pledges tonight, raising $1,015,618 for pediatric cancer research, a record for the fundraiser which began in 2007.

In addition to contributions from the public, area businesses that contributed to the fundraiser included Applebee's/Corner Bakery, leading the pack with a check for $300,000. Other corporate contributors included Volvo with a contribution of $200,000, Walmart with a $145,000 donation and Just Born Candies and Power Home Remodeling Group each with $100,000 donations.

The Foundation emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of 4-year-old cancer patient Alexandra "Alex" Scott whose lemonade stands for cancer research launched a national fundraising movement that has only grown since her death in 2004.

The Alex Scott Phone Bank aired in special segments and "Alex hours" from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the broadcast day. Segments were also streamed live on CBSPhilly.Com. CBS 3's Chris May, Susan Barnett, and Pat Ciarrocchi spearheaded the effort joined by CBS 3/CW Philly staffers Erika von Tiehl, Beasley Reece, Kathy Orr and Dave Huddleston, along with Alex's parents, Liz and Jay Scott, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Tennis Legend Billie Jean King, Philadelphia Eagles Co-owner Christina Lurie and World B. Free of the Philadelphia 76ers.

On-air personalities from CBS Radio who joined in the fight against childhood cancer included KYW Newsradio's Michelle Durham, Ross Brittain, Valerie Knight and Frank Lewis of the Breakfast Club at 98.1 WOGL, Dom Giordano from the new Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Paul Jolovitz and Rob Ellis from SportsRadio 610 WIP and Sarah, Steve, Spike, Gordon and Jennifer Reed from 94 WYSP.

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The fundraiser helps kick off Lemonade Days 2011 (June 10-12) when thousands of volunteers from coast to coast will take a stand against pediatric cancer by hosting lemonade stands of their own.

"The CBS family is proud to use our dominant media voice in the Philadelphia market to help the Scott family continue their impressive battle against children's cancer," says President and General Manager Jon Hitchcock. "Beyond our responsibility to report on local news, we have an obligation to be on our viewers' side and find solutions, especially one for cancer."

"We are thrilled to kick off our national fundraising weekend, Lemonade Days, with the Alex Scott Phone Bank," says Jay Scott, Alex's Dad. "We have been amazed by the continuing generosity of CBS 3 and CW Philly viewers, Philadelphia area residents and our sponsors and supporters everywhere."

Alex Scott: A Stand for Hope, a completely re-mastered and updated moving half hour special that tells Alex's story, will air Friday, June 10th at 10:30 p.m. on CW Philly. The show will be rebroadcast on Saturday, June 11th at 12:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on
CBS 3 and on Sunday, June 12th at 11:00 a.m. on CBS 3 and 7:00 p.m. on The CW Philly. The documentary will also be distributed throughout the country by CBS Affiliate Relations.

CBS 3 acknowledges the support of Local Toyota Dealers, Ashley Furniture Home Store, The Malvern School, Power Home Remodeling Group and CBS Radio in making this special fundraising effort possible. CBS 3 (KYW-TV) and The CW Philly 57 (WPSG-TV) are part of CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation.

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