A vibrant, joyful little girl with sparkling blue eyes and a bright smile that could rival any Disney princess, Lucy Donmoyer loved life (and unicorns). At age 4, while other kids were consumed by coloring books and Bluey episodes, she was dealing with a life-changing diagnosis — high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer usually affecting kids under the age of 5. The cancer spread throughout her bones and bone marrow, and she completed treatment in January 2022 — but she relapsed a month later, with the cancer having metastasized to her brain.
Despite enduring endless doctor visits and tough treatments, Lucy was never defined by her cancer diagnosis. She was happiest swimming, singing, drawing, going to school, and playing games with her favorite person in the whole world: her little sister, Charlotte.
Full of warmth and charm, Lucy had a remarkable gift for connecting with people and loved helping others. Although she gained her angel wings on September 26, 2023, her legacy and kind spirit live on through Lucy’s Lemonade Stand, an annual event created by her family to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research.
“The strongest fighter I’ve ever known doesn’t have to fight anymore,” Dad Jordan shared shortly after her passing. “For almost four years, we’ve asked her to fight, and if it were up to her, she would have kept fighting, but now she gets to rest, and we will pick up the fight.”
Picking Up the Fight: Lucy’s Lemonade Stand
Born from Lucy’s unwavering compassion, courage, and creativity, Lucy’s Lemonade Stand has proudly joined forces with Fourth & Gold, a nonprofit founded by oncology nurse Erin Tracy, who also cared for Lucy, to fund life-saving pediatric cancer research. Their shared mission: to find safer, more effective cancer treatments so that children can not only survive, but thrive. And the statistics don’t lie:
- Only 4% of federal cancer research funding benefits childhood cancer.
- Only three new pediatric cancer treatments have been developed since 1980.
- Two out of three pediatric cancer survivors suffer lifelong side effects from the treatments.
Throughout the last three years, Lucy’s Lemonade Stand has raised more than $200,000 to aid in the fight against pediatric cancer.
“We always say the lemonade stands are about awareness first and fundraising second,” Mom Jess says. “If a few of the people who buy lemonade get motivated to share our message or take action to help shine a spotlight on the lack of funding for childhood cancer research, then we’ve done our job.”
Every dollar raised, every story shared, and every breakthrough funded is one step closer to a world where no child has to face cancer with outdated, toxic treatments — and every family has hope.
How You Can Help: Donate or Host a Lemonade Stand!
Lucy’s Lemonade Stand is held annually throughout the month of September — and it’s a great way to give back and get the kids involved! Here is how you can help honor Lucy’s legacy and fight back against childhood cancer:
Donate online. Make a contribution today to Lucy’s Lemonade Stand here to support groundbreaking cancer research and help kids fight for their futures.
Host a lemonade stand. Please fill out this form if you would like more information about hosting a Lucy’s Lemonade Stand. Registered participants receive a special kit, complete with lemonade mix, cups, straws, signage, and more. Simply plan for a date in September, set up the stand, mix the lemonade, and help spread the word. Note: If you don’t register in time to receive a kit, that’s okay! Simply host a lemonade stand on your own, and donate the funds raised directly to Lucy’s Lemonade Stand.
Stop by and support a lemonade stand. Follow Lucy’s Lemonade Stand on Facebook and Mom Jess on Instagram @jessicashelly to find out dates and locations for lemonade stands throughout September!
Sponsor a lemonade stand. Help others get their lemonade stand up and running by becoming a sponsor to help raise funds for pediatric cancer research.
Jess adds, “We need as many megaphones as possible spreading this message, and we’re proud to share Lucy’s story to touch enough people to get them to act.”
