Maya Rigler, 10, has been a cancer survivor since the age of two, and she and her family have raised money for cancer research for just as long.
The pre-teen recovered from kidney cancer as a toddler, but was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month. Her family remains committed to supporting cancer research despite the disappointing news.
Each June, the Riglers manned a lemonade stand outside their Philadelphia house "to remember how lucky we are and to give back" to pediatric cancer charity Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. This year though, it is Maya that needs the support.
"It was really weird at first," Maya told Yahoo Parenting of her new cancer diagnosis. "It's still strange and scary a bit."
As gifts and donations began to pour in from friends and family members, the child decided she wanted to help others.
"I felt happy but I didn't need people buying me a million presents," she admitted. "I started to feel bad because I don't need all this."
After going to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for treatment last week, she and her family founded a virtual lemonade stand with the goal of raising $10,000. Six days later, over $34,000 was raised.
"It's overwhelming," said Maya. "But it feels so nice to know we're helping other kids."
The fundraising goal has been raised to $50,000 to help even more children with cancer.
"A lot of people are, like, struggling and not doing as well as me and I think, 'They're not getting presents and all the support and as much as I have,'" she explained.
"I think that all this love should be given to helping other people too."
Her parents marvelled at their daughter's giving spirit.
"Maya has always been a compassionate little girl," her mother, Stacy, said. "We are grounded in faith, in the tradition of Judaism that believes every day is a gift, but we've been blown away by people's support."
