Bozeman Family Honors Their Daughter With Lemonade Fundraiser Tied To Childhood Cancer Research

Bozeman, Mont. — A Bozeman family is honoring their daughter Ellie Jade with a lemonade stand fundraiser tied to childhood cancer research.  

What looks like a simple lemonade stand carries a personal mission for the Timmer family.  

The event honors Ellie Jade’s memory while raising money for childhood cancer research, with a goal of raising $5,000 dollars. Savannah Timmer – Ellie Jade’s mother – says this money will fund two weeks' worth of research. 

Reflecting on his daughter’s battle with cancer, Cody Timmer shared what stood out most. 

“She went through about a year battle with cancer, and she was an absolute warrior. She was always happy no matter what situation she was in and yeah, I think just remember her, just her strength and her perseverance,” said Cody Timmer.  

Savannah Timmer described Ellie Jade as full of energy and joy.  

“Just full of life and always happy and had the biggest and brightest personality; and she had a lot of sass too. But more than anything, she was just always so happy and playful and loved playing with dinosaurs and loved Peppa Pig and hanging out with her best friend, Emmy,” said Savannah Timmer.  

The family said Ellie Jade was diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a diagnosis that impacts one to two children per million people annually. 

Savannah Timmer explained that during the course of Ellie Jade’s diagnosis, the Timmer family spent eight months in Denver with various hospital visits. 

“We were in Denver for eight months in and out of the hospital; she spent well over 150 days in the hospital. And when we weren’t there at the hospital for her admissions, we stayed at a really amazing nonprofit place called ‘Brent’s Place’ for kids with cancer and their families,” said Savannah Timmer.  

Now Savannah and Cody Timmer say they are turning their daughter’s experience with childhood cancer into action through the Ellie Jade Lemonade Stand.  

While raising money for childhood cancer research, the fundraiser also supports the Lemonade Days campaign, a nationwide effort for cancer research during the month of June.  

Cody Timmer says even with life changing events like a childhood cancer diagnosis, children’s resilience can help carry families through difficult moments.  

“And honestly, I think the most important thing is just feeding off the strength of your children, too. Kids are extremely resilient and you know, they’re such an inspiration that it kind of helps you get through it as well,” said Cody Timmer. 

Ellie Jade’s lemonade stand ran from 11a.m. to 3p.m. on Saturday, June 6th at Dinosaur Park in Bozeman.