DIXFIELD — Compassion for others inspired an 8-year-old girl to take action against a killer of millions.

Halle Hebert of Dixfield was watching television several days ago when she saw a commercial featuring young children stricken with cancer being treated at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The images inspired her to take action.

“I wanted to do something to find a cure for cancer when I saw the children with cancer,” said the third-grader at Webb River Seventh-day Adventist School in Dixfield.

“I wanted to make a change, so I thought about making lemonade and using the money from it to help those with cancer. I have a friend who has cancer and a great aunt who had cancer,” she said.

On Wednesday morning, Hebert opened her Lemons for Life lemonade stand at her home on 52 North St. (off Weld Street/Route 142) with the help of her mother, Tasha Paul, grandmother Bette Murphy of Rumford and her two cousins Alivia Chappie, 10, and Chris Chappie, 14, both of Bethel.

All wore white Lemons for Life T-shirts, which were donated by Matt Pingree of Low-Key Customs of Mexico.

Hebert, with her friends, sold the lemonade, made from freshly squeezed lemons for 75 cents a glass.

“I hope to run my lemonade stand until school begins on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m to 1 p.m.,” Hebert said.

For people who wish to contribute to Halle’s fundraiser and can’t make it to her stand, Bette Murphy said, “they can write a check or money order to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and send it to Halle Hebert, 52 North St., Dixfield, ME 04224.

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