Thirteen-year-old Sadie Hudson has always looked out for her little brothers, who have cancer.

On Friday, Sadie was looking out not only for her brothers, but for all children who have cancer, by hosting an Alex's Lemonade Stand outside the Wing Zone, 1908 Fruitville Pike.

Sadie, who is home-schooled, learned a couple of months ago that she could open her own stand through Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School.

"I wanted to give back to the hospital where they go," Sadie said. "This is really fun. Besides, I like lemonade."

Her brothers, 7-year-old Lee Kettering and 6-year-old Hudson Kettering, have been dealing since they were infants with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder in which nerve tissues grow tumors.

Since being diagnosed, the boys, who attend Brecht Elementary School, have endured chemotherapy and surgeries aimed at shrinking tumors in their brains and behind their eyes.

For years, the tumors had remained under control. However, the boys' mother, Jennifer Kettering, a manager at the Wing Zone, said she recently learned that the tumors had begun to grow again.

Kettering, who has supported Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation in the past, said although it's been tough, she manages.

"I take it," Kettering, 34, of Manheim Township, said. "As a mother, I have a certain responsibility for these kids. I have to act like they have normal lives, like they are like everybody else."

Created in 2004, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is named after Alex Scott, a child with neuroblastoma who opened a stand to raise money for childhood cancers. Since her death in 2004, the foundation has raised more than $25 million.

Now in its sixth year, the foundation hosts Lemonade Days in June, during which thousands of volunteers raise more than $1 million annually for pediatric cancer.

Kettering said being the parent of two sick children has given her an odd sense of strength.

"I am trying to take this in stride and have faith that the doctors know what they are doing," she said.

During the day, passersby made donations for a tall cup of lemonade. They also could buy lemon-scented candles and bandannas and enter a raffle for a lemon-themed gift basket.

Lee and Hudson will probably begin chemotherapy in August, Kettering said. The two are planning to personally deliver the lemonade-stand proceeds to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where they receive treatment.

Hudson said he had a blast helping make the lemonade and tending the stand.

"It's fun," he said.

Lee said he is excited to give the money to the hospital.

"They actually help me and my brother," he said. "They've helped me with my surgeries."

E-mail: mpennino@lnpnews.com