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.
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve read a non-childhood cancer patient or family member tell someone who IS affected by childhood cancer, to try some “miracle” cure, I’d have enough money to actually cure childhood cancer! Or I’d at least have more than the government gives (seriously, it’s not a lot).
Things I’ve read or heard people telling families to use that will CURE their child
NO. STOP IT. STOP telling parents and families remedies that they need to try. These families have done more research than slept, they’ve looked into EVERY remedy possible for their child and they would move MOUNTAINS if they could save their child. Telling a grieving family to try X,Y and Z isn’t being helpful. It’s HURTFUL. And it could take a family who is already in a very vulnerable state and put them in a dangerous state.
As a pediatric oncology nurse, I’ve seen first hand what this does to families. It hurts them. It belittles them. It makes them question their parenting. A few weeks ago, I (regrettably) read a post that a family member of a friend wrote on a private forum (but was later screen shotted to the family). The baby is fighting for his life… his extended “family?” They’re worried about the pea size piece of frosting that was on his face while celebrating his birthday. “Why would you give him sugar if he has cancer… sugar causes cancer and he’s already so sick! I was wondering about them…” The mom was crushed… and rightfully so. Who are any of you to tell a mother of a sick child what they can and cannot eat? I literally want to jump through the screen every time I read a post of someone telling a mother or father that sugar causes cancer and basically that they’re terrible parents.
Can I just scream this really really loud real quick? SUGAR DOES NOT CAUSE CHILDHOOD CANCER. CHILDHOOD CANCER CAUSES ARE… WAIT FOR IT… UNKNOWN. Childhood cancer doesn’t discriminate against any ethnic group, socioeconomic class or geographic region. It doesn’t matter if your child drank apple juice for 8 months straight or organic water straight from the waterfall. I don’t think any parent would CHOOSE to give their child chemotherapy and/or radiation if there was proof of a more non-toxic treatment providing better results.
So please. Next time you think about telling a family something they should do to “cure” or “prevent” childhood cancer… please think twice. Whether your intentions are wonderful or spiteful… it doesn’t help. It hurts. These families I have the pleasure of working with everyday? They’re the strongest people I know. They pull strength from places they didn’t even know existed. They need love and support… not criticism. Next time you see a beautiful bald headed child eating a donut… just smile. It could be the first bite they’ve taken of food in weeks. We celebrate that.
So next time you’re wondering what you can do to help? Advocate for the government to give more than 4% of all research funding to childhood cancer and give back to foundations that provide their own research. Put more effort into researching and fundraising versus googling a “cure” that truly doesn’t exist. That DOES help.
#MoreThan4 #NotRare
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.
7 Responses
Thank you, Erin for speaking up for families like my own and especially for the wonderful profession that you have chosen ❤️❤️
Thank you so much Karen!
Please Facebook search Amy Largent and her daughter Julia Adams. There is a 2 yo girl right now in PA that is a real miracle. In a coma with only “Days to live”, and only pain meds in January 2019, Julia is awake today. She is just finished round 9 of chemo. I am not a believer of religion, but before this little girl I wasn’t even a believer in anything. Was it the CBD & THC? Was it a God or Gods? It certainly wasn’t the morphine. But something brought this child back. Her cancer had CRUSHED her brain stem encircling it and just squeezed it into nothing. Read her story. Julia’s mother Amy updates about her everyday. And while you’re at it keep this sweet little warrior in your thoughts. It certainly doesn’t hurt!
CJ Skorpion
Sugar is Cancer’s Food!!
Stop. Just… stop. Sugar is also the food for every cell in your body and for your brain. Your body converts food into sugars that the cells use for power. You are just being knowingly and obstinately hurtful.
Stop. Just… stop. Sugar is the fuel for every cell in your body and for your brain. Your body converts the food you eat into sugars for that purpose. Yes, too much sugar can contribute to obesity in adults which can increase their chances of developing cancer. But NO ONE knows what causes childhood cancers. You are being intentionally and malignantly hurtful.
Holier than thou old miserable hag.