By Mary Kathryn Carpenter

NATCHEZ — Dylan Troxler turned a sour situation into a sweet cause Friday afternoon when he set up a lemonade stand to benefit his cousin, Brody BeQuette.

“I didn’t expect it to be so successful,” Troxler said.

The stand raised $361 of Troxler’s $500 goal in the four hours it was in operation on Ratcliff Place.

Troxler decided to set up the lemonade stand when he heard that Brody would have to go to Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday for six weeks to receive radiation treatment. He had help from his sister, Maci Jones, and Brody’s brother, Landon Davis.

“I thought it could raise a lot of money,” Dylan said.

Brody is a four-year-old resident of Natchez who was diagnosed in December with neuroblastoma, a malignant cancerous tumor that develops from nerve tissue.

After the radiation he will receive, Terri Troxler hopes and prays he will be in remission.

Brody and his mother, Crystal Davis, came by to help and visit while the lemonade sale was going on.

Brody spent the time playing with his cousins and brother and helping them sell lemonade, cookies and “We Love Brody” bracelets to several costumers, including friends, strangers and local law enforcement.

Davis was ecstatic that the children were helping out.

“It means the world to me for them to spend their Friday afternoon on this when they could be enjoying their summer,” Davis said. “It’s teaching them to help and give to others.”

Dylan doesn’t want any reward for his help other than Brody’s happiness.

“I like seeing the smile on Brody’s face when we give him something,” Dylan said. “It goes from ear-to-ear.”

Dylan, Maci and Landon will reopen their lemonade stand from 8 a.m. to noon today at 545 Ratcliff Place in Natchez.

Bracelets cost $3, a cup of lemonade is $1 and cookies are four for $1.

All proceeds go to help pay for travel expenses for Brody’s trip to Florida.