Brady Campbell, 6, Starts Lemonade Stand To Fulfill Dad’s Dying Wish

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Brady Campbell certainly made the most of the lemons life gave him this past July 8. He set up a lemonade stand to raise money so he could take his mom on a “date.” What makes it so special is that his dad, Brandon, died from colon cancer the day before. Father and son had decided on the idea before Brandon died.

“My dad and I came up with the idea of a lemonade stand to take my mom on a date,” Brady told KDVR, a Denver FOX affiliate. “I didn’t have enough money and I wanted to pay, so I did it.”

Family and friends came out in droves that day to support Brady. Brady Campbell charged $1 or “best offer” for each cup of lemonade. A Denver police officer eventually noticed the huge crowd surrounding the stand. The officer then notified other first responders. Brady’s mom, Amanda, says about 75 people showed up that day.

“It was amazing,” Amanda said. “You could just feel the warmth and energy and such a positive thing in such a tragic time for us. It really lifted our spirits and really made Brady so happy. Brandon was a savvy businessman and wanted to teach Brady all those lessons, and I could just [see] it happening. It made my heart really happy.”

Further Funding and Research

Brady Campbell ended up earning $244 that first day at his lemonade stand. Soon after, a neighbor set up a GoFundMe page telling his story, creating “Brady’s Virtual Lemonade Stand.”

“We will use a small portion of the funds raised for Brady and Amanda to continue having adventures (and dates) together,” part of the GoFundMe page reads. “We will use the rest to honor the Palliative Care Team and Cancer Center at University of Colorado Anschutz. Even in Brandon’s darkest days fighting cancer, he still believed in honoring the people who serve as cheerleaders and advocates for those struggling.”

Credit: cnn.com

There is even a Brandon Campbell memorial fund set up through the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Part of the proceeds from the GoFundMe page will also be donated to Colontown, a colorectal cancer advocacy group.

“Through that, we can get advocacy out, the word for colon cancer, especially young-onset colon cancer,” Amanda said. “We are happy through all this, we have brought some awareness. I feel like it gives some purpose to such a tragedy.”

It’s amazing that Brady Campbell was able to fulfill this promise to his dad who had just died from cancer the day before. Of course, a young mother losing her husband and young boy losing his father is terrible. But at least we can take some solace from the fact a community came together to support them in this tough time.

Take a look at the Fox News video below to learn more about Brady Campell and his lemonade stand idea.