Founded by Erin, Fourth & Gold officially became a 5013C non-profit organization in July 2022. Much of the team is lead by healthcare professionals that are on the frontlines of oncological practice, helping children and their families battle cancer everyday.
” I think I’m in love”
“Oh you are? With who?”
“With… with… you. I think you’re so beautiful”
And then I picked my heart up off the floor and tried to act calm, cool and collected. This was an actual conversation I had with a little boy as he was sitting in a hospital bed while I was hanging yet another drug to help save his life and his mom was “sleeping” next to him (I later found out she heard the whole conversation). I’ve been told I was beautiful before… but have you ever been told you were beautiful by a child who absolutely hates the hospital and everything associated with it? It’s a moment I’ll never forget.
We have a lot to learn from kids… especially from kids fighting for their life. This is just one of many conversations I’ve had with kids stuck in the hospital that has really made me stop and think. I think it’s second nature as an adult to complain about things, expect people to read our mind, not fully stating how we feel and/or not living our “best lives.” Kids fighting for their lives live like we should all live- like today could be our last.
“Live like you were dying” A famous song by Tim McGraw, a song I often sang along to, but a song that meant nothing to me until I watched kids and their families live like tomorrow isn’t promised… because it isn’t.
Every single day I walk into work, I am overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude, humbleness and pride. I have said this a million times, but kids who get diagnosed with cancer are special. There is something special about each child I’ve met that I really can’t even explain. It’s almost like an “old soul” personality that many of these kids have and they are all much smarter than you could imagine. I’ve had incredible conversations with toddlers and with 18 year olds. I’m telling you- these kids fighting for their lives are just different and every last one of them has a special place in my heart.
I had a toddler patient recently undergoing significant treatment, every right to be irritable, fatigued and over being in the hospital.. but when I walked into her room, I said “how we doin little miss?” And her reply? “I’m doin great and I’m doin good!” A response that wouldn’t phase most people, but really made me appreciate how much these kids have changed my life.
We could all learn a thing or 50 from kids and I really encourage you to open up and listen. If you think someone is beautiful- tell them.
If you’re interested in hosting a stand or sponsoring our campaign, reach out to us using this contact form, and a team member will contact you directly.
***This is not our sign up form to receive a kit and host a stand!***
If you’re looking to host your own Lucy’s Lemonade Stand, filling out the form does not sign you up! Once we receive your form submission, we’ll communicate with you directly and send you a link to sign up for your stand.
1.) If you are looking to host a stand during our September campaign, stand sign ups will run June 1 through June 30th every year. We’ll ask for the date(s) you plan to host your stand in September, as well as your location, so we can help promote it and drive traffic your way. In August, we’ll send out stand kits. If you’re local to Jacksonville, we’ll host a meetup where you can pick up your kit in person.
2.) If you are looking to host a stand during our September campaign but missed our sign-up window – no worries! We order extra kits every year, so reach out to us and we will do our best to accommodate you as supplies last.
3.) If you are looking to host a stand outside of our September campaign, that is a possibility as well, depending on the amount of extra supplies remaining. Please reach out to us anytime and we will do our best to provide you with everything you need to host a stand any time of year!
Each host receives a kit designed to make your experience easy and impactful, along with a PDF guide containing everything needed to host a successful – and fun – lemonade stand. Your kit will be packed with lemonade mix, cups, straws, signage, and more. Our goal is to equip you with everything you need to raise awareness and support for pediatric cancer research. All you need to do is set up, mix the lemonade, and help spread the word.
