Sweet Success: How Sofia’s Lemonade Stand Raised Funds and Hope for CANAAF
By Laura Schober
For some, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” is just a familiar phrase. For 10-year-old Sofia Berg, those words became an inspiring way to face a life-changing diagnosis.
In April, Sofia began losing some of her hair. Within weeks, her hair loss was progressing so quickly that she lost almost 90% of her hair by June. By the end of the summer, Sofia had lost all of her hair. After visiting her doctor, she was diagnosed with alopecia areata.
To help lift her daughter’s spirits, Sofia’s mother, Sarah, suggested a simple but empowering idea: a lemonade stand to help raise funds and awareness about alopecia areata. Sofia loved the idea – and got to work turning lemons into hope.
“I wanted to let people know what alopecia was, and I wanted to raise funds for kids and the Canadian Alopecia Areata Foundation (CANAAF),” said Sofia.
On June 28, with the help of friends and family, Sofia set up a lemonade stand outside her home in Brampton, Ont., to raise funds for CANAAF. In addition to pink lemonade, she sold other treats to support the cause, including popcorn, cotton candy, fresh-baked cookies, and large rainbow lollipops.
Sofia invited her classmates, teachers, and neighbours to stop by, and word spread quickly – thanks in part to posts on social media. Soon enough, her lemonade stand was drawing in an even bigger crowd than she had expected.
“I was so afraid about how people were going to react, because at nine or 10 years old, children are very aware of body image,” said Sarah. “But her friends were there to support her, and even the teachers sent letters of support for her lemonade stand. We’re thankful to everyone. Kindness does make a difference.”
At the end of the day, Sofia raised $1,400 from her lemonade stand, donating half to CANAAF and half to another charity that supports children with hair loss. Since then, she has registered a team for CANAAF’s Strides of Support for Alopecia Areata – a walk that raises funds, awareness, and hope for people living with alopecia areata. For Strides of Support, Sofia has raised additional funds with her team in support of CANAAF, with over $500 raised to date.
This year’s Strides of Support will take place on September 28 in four cities across Canada: Richmond, BC; Burlington, Ont.; Montreal, Que.; and Halifax, NS. People who live outside these areas can still pledge their support by walking in their own neighbourhoods, or by making a donation.
“I hope that our story will help inspire other people and other children to do it, because even if Sofia’s just 10 years old, she wanted to do it and she was able to make it a success with some support,” said Sarah.
To learn more about Strides of Support for Alopecia Areata and to register or donate, visit: www.canaaf.org/canaafs-strides-of-support-september-28th-2025/
