Mercury Insurance Raises $15,500 for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation's Fight Against Childhood Cancer Research

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2014) – Mercury Insurance today auctioned off a 2015 Kia Sorento for $15,500, contributing to the fight against childhood cancer. All proceeds will benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), a nonprofit dedicated to finding cures for all kids with cancer.  The Kia, with less than 200 miles on the odometer, donated by Mercury, packed a house of live bidders at the Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) branch in Anaheim, and was available to hundreds online.

The fundraiser was inspired by four-year-old cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who sold lemonade from her front yard to raise funds for childhood cancer research.  Fourteen years later, Alex’s good deed is a national charity that has raised more than $80 million, funding over 450 research projects across North America.

Monday’s event was coordinated by IAA, which auctions vehicles live in six languages at 160 sites throughout North America and on the Internet to buyers in more than 110 countries. Also present at the event was Kim Sprague, mother of ALSF Hero Andrew, who battled cancer for more than three years and has been in remission for eight years.  

“Pediatric cancer doesn’t always receive the support and funding that research for other cancers do,” said Sprague. “More than 263,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, so the event here in Anaheim and Mercury’s donated car will aid a tremendous cause that needs much support. Every dollar raised today will make a difference.”

With live and online bidding, the Kia Sorento sold to bidder Gumersindo Castaneda. “I hope this money for the mercury-donated car will help children feel better,” said Castaneda.

Mercury Insurance, a California-based company supplying personal automobile and homeowners insurance in 13 states, has been participating in local and regional charities for more than five decades.  Today’s event is the third consecutive year Mercury has provided a vehicle for auction to benefit ALSF.

“Mercury helps put customers’ lives back together every day, so partnering with an organization that does the same for families and children who are battling cancer is a natural fit,” said John Dicken, Mercury’s national claims director. “We’re proud to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation through the IAA, as they strive to eliminate childhood cancer, and we hope this will bring us one step closer to curing these terrible diseases.” 

About Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (www.alexslemonade.org)

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $80 million toward fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 450 pediatric cancer research projects nationally.

About Mercury Insurance (www.mercuryinsurance.com)

Mercury Insurance (MCY) is a multiple-line insurance organization predominantly offering personal automobile, homeowners and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Florida, Georgia, California, New Jersey, Arizona, New York, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and Pennsylvania.  Since 1962, Mercury has specialized in offering quality insurance at affordable prices – core values that distinguish Mercury in the marketplace.