5-year-old Toronto girl’s lemonade stands raise $25,000 for Angelman syndrome

Since launching her lemonade fundraiser last summer, 5-year-old Na’ama Uzan has raised $25,000 to help find a cure for Angelman syndrome (AS).

“It’s just incredible that through a lemonade stand we’ve been able to raise this towards a cure for Angelman Syndrome,” Na’ama’s dad, David Uzan, said in an interview last summer, when Na’ama had raised about $6,000.

With the help of her family and friends, the North York girl sells lemonade in the summer and hot chocolate in the winter, raising awareness and donating all proceeds to the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics.

Na’ama’s 7-year-old brother, Nadav, has the neurodevelopmental disorder. It makes it difficult for him to walk or talk, and he suffers from frequent seizures.

“My brother, Nadav, has Angelman Syndrome, so we’re trying to raise money for a cure so he won’t have it anymore,” Na'ama told CBC News last August.

On Sunday, April 12, Na’ama set up her stand near the sidewalk on her family’s driveway, selling cups of lemonade and hot chocolate to “a ton and a ton and a ton” of people, she told the Toronto Star.

Nadav sat nearby, avoiding the crowds and enjoying the springtime air.

Neighbourhood children take turns hosting the stands, which popped up on driveways two or three times last summer.

“It’s quite amazing. Even at their young ages, they realize that they can do something to help [him]. It’s quite incredible how they’ve all really stepped up,” Uzan said.

Uzan told the Toronto Star that because Angelman Syndrome refers to a mutation or deletion of a single gene rather than of multiple genes, “there’s real hope for a cure.”

Na’ama’s lemonade stands have inspired others to start their own. In California, David Low and his partner have already raised more than $20,000 since their son was diagnosed with AS six months ago.

They plan to use the money to set up a research grant in Na’ama’s name, CTV News reported.

“We don’t get this every day where a complete stranger is inspired by your child and raises over $20,000 in her honour,” said Na’ama’s mother, Ru Uzan.