When life gives lemons, some people make lemonade to enjoy while others sell it and donate the money. And that is what seven-year-old Nicole Hawkins is doing to help her friend Maddy.
Madison White is a 13-year-old girl who is in the fight of her life against acute myeloid leukemia and a brain injury. She has been in BC Children’s Hospital since mid-March undergoing surgery and chemotherapy.
Her aunt Susan Blanchard, in Maddy’s most recent health update, wrote that the 13-year-old is “doing fairly well at the moment,” and the family is hoping that her improving health, coming back from fighting an infection, will put her into a position to undergo a bone marrow transplant from her younger brother Tyson.
Blanshard added that Maddy’s family continues to need financial support to be able to remain in Vancouver at her side while she goes through “the crucial treatments.”
“She needs to feel the support from her parents and family members to keep her spirits up and keep her fighting,” Blanshard wrote.
Murray Hawkins is Nicole’s father and said that the idea of setting up a by-donation lemonade stand was his daughter’s idea. “I was blown away,” he said. At the beginning of June, Nicole set up a stand and raised about $8 which she told her father she would like to donate to Maddy, whose grandparents are the Hawkins family’s neighbours. Nicole set her sights on expanding her operations.
With a little help from her father, First Credit Union (FCU) and Mitchell Brothers agreed to help as well and donate the necessary supplies, Murray said.
“Nicole’s lemonade stand is raising money for a great cause, and aligns well with First’s purpose—to strengthen the well-being of our members and make a meaningful community impact,” said Tara Chernoff, FCU manager of community impact and engagement. “We really admire Nicole’s determination to help her friend—she’s a wonderful role model and example of someone making a difference in our community. We’re encouraging everyone to come out, enjoy some lemonade and support Maddy White.”
Nicole is having her larger lemonade and iced-tea stand from 1 to 4 pm on Saturday, June 27, in the FCU parking lot.
A GoFundMe site has also been set up for those unable to attend Nicole’s lemonade stand, but who wish to donate to Maddy and her family.
