‘Pinkies Up 4 Lucy’: Henderson rallies behind family of 4th grader who died after collapsing at recess

HENDERSON, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — A Henderson County community is decked out in pink in honor of a fourth-grade girl who tragically passed away after collapsing during recess.

On Aug. 7, 9-year-old Lucy Nash returned to Clairo Elementary School alongside her sisters and friends. However, that day during recess, Lucy experienced a cardiac event and collapsed on the playground, according to a GoFundMe .

She was rushed to an area hospital before being flown to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Her father, Ryan Nash , said in a public update on Facebook, that officers closed down two highways as first responders worked to save her.

But according to her family, Lucy never woke up.

“Brain death isn’t something that happens at once. It’s a stretching of time in futile hope that something, somewhere in there, might still be. We’ve learned brain death takes 12 hours to declare and more than a day to experience,” Nash wrote on Tuesday.

He continued, “Sunday morning, the doctor who brought my bright, energetic ‘smart cookie’ to Riley’s [Children’s Hospital] and worked all night long to save her from the going over the brink explained that the swelling and tissue damage that has been going on moment by moment since recess on Wednesday had reached its end finally. Her brain isn’t alive anymore.”

Lucy loved painting her fingernails pink, according to her family, and that’s the color that lit up the Henderson community as they rallied behind her. A social media campaign, “Pinkies Up 4 Lucy,” sparked among the community as many began to sport the pink polish.

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“Those close to me know how much I have hated the color pink my whole life. It’s a joke between my mom and I. She said when I was little, I would consistently choose any other color to wear, as long as it wasn’t pink,” Lucy’s mom, Rachel, wrote. “It is with utterly ironic, that this morning, I can truly say pink is one of the most wonderful colors I have ever seen. So many pink pinkies for my baby girl. It has been a comfort I never could have imagined I would associate with pink.”

On Monday, students and staff at Lucy’s elementary school wore pink as a sign of their support. They even had manicure stations, painting staff and student’s pinkies with pink polish.

“It is hard to put into words how grateful Cairo is for the outpouring of love and support we have felt during this impossible time,” Lucy’s school said on Facebook, sharing photos of pink flowers and cake that’s been gifted to staff. “Our community is one of a kind, and we are so thankful for everyone who is helping to make our days a little brighter.”

Her family said on Tuesday that although Lucy’s battle was over, they knew “all she ever wanted to do was good” and her organs were being prepared for donation.

“But this beautiful giver isn’t done. Lucy’s no longer alive, yet her heart beats, and her lungs take in air. Over the next few days Lucy’s body will be examined and cared for, and the organs and tissues she no longer needs will be given to help as many people as possible,” Nash said. “Keeping her heart going maximizes the good she can do. All she ever wanted to do was good.”

At this time, arrangements have yet to be announced, but her family encourages the community to wear their brightest pink in honor of her.

Family members have organized a GoFundMe for medical expenses, that has since surpassed its $7,000 goal.

The community has continued to rally behind Lucy’s family. On Friday, friends of the family will host an improv show to raise money for them at 7 p.m. at the Henderson Elk’s Lodge. Those in attendance are encouraged to wear pink. Click here for more information.

For those interested in donating, click here . If you’re interested in showing your support, post a picture wearing your brightest pink with the hashtag “Pinkies Up 4 Lucy.”

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