October 17, 2012 is a day that would change our lives forever. Results confirmed that the heart wrenching diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis for my 4 year old daughter, Cassidy, was true. 

Amidst the streaming tears, while putting on a happy face for Cassidy, so that she knew everything was going to be okay, life instantly changed as I knew it.

In 2013, a few months after her Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis, Cassidy decided she wanted to host a Lemonade Stand to raise money to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. What began as Cassidy’s innocent childhood idea of something she could be a part of raising awareness, has now officially become Cassidy’s Lemonade Stand.

This miraculous, unexpected endeavor has now combined, serving freshly squeezed lemonade out of a mobile truck, hosting incredible charity events and an online boutique of merchandise. To date, Cassidy’s Lemonade Stand has raised over $100,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Canada research and advocacy.

Cassidy’s Lemonade Stand has been the most rewarding, heart wrenching, scary + exhilarating experience of our lives. This journey has been healing, challenging, painful + beautiful. We would never have asked for this diagnosis + pray everyday that Cassidy can be healed from all of the challenges that are sure to come her way, but today I can honestly say I’m grateful for the way Cystic Fibrosis has changed my life. I can’t imagine my life any other way.

Life is hard + all of us have a story that includes varying degrees of darkness.

We’re taking the pain, grief + fear and using it to create a life of purpose + JOY.

By turning lemons into lemonade, we are choosing to see the light.