What began as a small neighbourhood lemonade stand has grown into an annual fundraiser for childhood cancer charities, inspired by a young girl’s journey through leukemia. Six-year-old Riley was four when her mother, Sarah Miskiewicz, noticed she was unusually tired and experiencing recurring fevers. At first, doctors suspected a virus. But when the symptoms persisted, Miskiewicz followed her instincts and took her daughter to the emergency department at Guelph General Hospital. Bloodwork revealed Riley had leukemia. The family was transferred to McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, where Riley underwent treatment beginning in June 2024. She completed chemotherapy on Aug. 24 and is now cancer-free, according to her mother. “It was honestly everything, I can’t even begin to explain it,” Miskiewicz said of the experience, describing the early months as filled with fear and sadness. “You hear the word cancer and you think, my baby’s going to die.” Through the difficult treatment, Riley remained known to her family as “Smiley Riley,” her mother said. “She’s just full of life and a bottle of giggles all the time,” Miskiewicz said. “She’s the happiest kid.” Now, Riley and her older sister, Robyn, are helping turn that experience into something positive. The sisters are selling lemonade and cupcakes at their annual fundraiser, with proceeds going to organizations supporting children with cancer and their families. “We’re doing it to raise money for charities,” the girls said. The event has grown significantly since the family first held a lemonade stand four years ago. That first fundraiser raised just over $100 for supplies for Robyn’s Grade 1 classroom. After Riley’s diagnosis, the family shifted its focus toward childhood cancer charities. This year’s fundraiser is the family’s third annual event supporting childhood cancer causes. They hope to raise $2,500, surpassing the roughly $2,100 raised last year. The response from the community has been overwhelming, Miskiewicz said. Emergency professionals, neighbours, school friends, daycare friends and co-workers joined people from the broader community, with a long line forming at the stand. “I honestly didn’t realize our circle was as big as it is,” Miskiewicz said. “The number of people that showed up for us... it’s mind-blowing.” The fundraiser also reflects a gap the family noticed during Riley’s treatment: the impact on siblings. Miskiewicz and her family have since started The Robyn Foundation, which aims to support siblings of children with cancer. “There are so many awesome things for the kid going through it,” Miskiewicz said. “There’s really nothing for the siblings.” For Robyn and Riley, the day is about more than raising money. The sisters said their favourite part has been seeing people arrive to support the cause. And their message to other children facing serious illness is simple. “I hope you are very strong and brave,” the girls said. “You are a rockstar!” September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, making the fundraiser especially timely for a family that has spent the past two years living through the reality behind the statistics. For Riley, however, the focus is no longer on hospital rooms and chemotherapy. It’s on lemonade, cupcakes, her sister — and a community that keeps showing up.
