For many kids, summer means time off from school – playing outside, beach days, and maybe even family trips. But for Rori and Luci Schmid, ages 10 and 6, summer also means it’s time to make a positive impact for those fighting pancreatic cancer.
This year, the Schmid girls have been holding lemonade stands around their hometown of Ocean City, NJ, donating their proceeds to Project Purple.
Having lost her grandfather, Scott Smith, to the disease, starting the lemonade stand was ten-year-old Rori’s idea. She wanted to help others who are fighting this disease.
“It makes me feel good, I get teary, just to see them helping other people,” proud mom Ashley Schmid said, welling up a little. “My dad was always so proud of Rori… She has his work ethic in a lot of ways. And I know he would be so proud that the girls are doing this.”
Remembering and Honoring Their Grandfather
Over the ten years Scott had spent with Rori, and five years with Lucy, he made quite the impression. He loved being their grandpa, and the kids loved him too.
“I loved it when we went on trips,” Rori said. “Like when we went on to Deep Creek and we were on a boat together, and it was just so fun!”
Luci recalled how he was quick to join in on the fun and lend a helping hand, even at the arcade.
“When we wanted help to play a game, he would always help us,” Luci said.
Ashley sees a lot of her dad’s personality, spirit, and image when she looks at her daughters.
“They have his eyes. Especially Rori. My dad had the most dark, deep blue eyes. I know that seems superficial on the surface, but when I look at her, I see him. I see his eyes,” Ashley said.
“His work ethic is all Rory and Lucy’s the life of the party just like my dad. They’re both very giving as well. My dad would do anything for them.”
Scott’s Battle With Pancreatic Cancer
Even during his very short battle with pancreatic cancer, Scott was still making beautiful memories with his family. Aside from observing that he had lost some weight, the first time Ashley noticed something was off with her dad’s health, they were on a family vacation in August.
He seemed fine at first so the coming diagnosis was a shock to the family.
“He was the life of the party,” Ashley recalled. “He seemed fine. He had lost a little weight, but we thought it was because he was walking a lot. And nothing substantial. Maybe 10 pounds.”
On September 28th, Scott had a blockage in his intestines and went in for surgery.
“It seemed like opening up just made it explode,” Ashley said.
From there, the diagnosis came and Scott’s health deteriorated quickly. Ashley, her husband Ron, and the kids were in Disney World when Ashley heard the news.
“We were on the bus to Magic Kingdom when he said, ‘It’s pancreatic cancer.’ And I just sobbed the whole time,” Ashley recalled. “I had to keep my sunglasses on at night.”
Through the next three and a half weeks, Scott was in a lot of pain. He could not get out of bed. When he tried to go to the doctor’s office on October 10th, he was told that he would be able to start chemo in about 7-10 days. However, as the week progressed, it became clear that he was becoming too weak.
On October 24th, the day of his passing, he had a very difficult time talking. But even despite the pain, Scott made sure his family felt loved. Ashley called him that morning. Scott was with her Aunt Carla and his long-time girlfriend, Amy. The two warned Ashley that he couldn’t really talk anymore, but they put him on speakerphone anyway.
“I told him I loved him,” Ashley said. “And I told him it was okay to go.” Somehow, Scott was able to get the words out to reply: “I love you.”
“Those were some of his last words,” Ashley said. Less than a month after his diagnosis, Scott passed away.
While still mourning his loss, Ashley looked for an outlet. She found Project Purple.
Following In Each Other’s Footsteps
As a longtime runner and fitness enthusiast, Ashley was the first in her family to discover Project Purple thanks to a friend from her college days, Erin Peters.
Before Scott was diagnosed, Ashley was moved by one of Erin’s Instagram posts about her good friend, Jordan, and his battle with pancreatic cancer. It mentioned Project Purple, which stuck with Ashley.
“As soon as my dad got sick, I looked up Project Purple,” said Ashley. She quickly got involved and joined Project Purple’s 2024 New York City Half Marathon team along with her husband, Ron.
Ever since then, the Schmids have been fighting for a world without pancreatic cancer as a family.
“I love that we’re doing it as a family,” Ashley said. “Just like how Ronnie joined me for the New York City Half. He was never really a runner before that. And he’s the one who kept me going that day because I, of course, went out too fast.”
“Because we’re doing things as a family now, I hope when my girls are older they do the same thing with their family… Just like how Rori loves her 5Ks. She sees us being healthy and active. I hope the same for them.”
With a family focus on helping others, Rori’s work ethic she inherited from her grandfather, and Luci’s big personality to help make the sale, it’s no surprise that the Schmid girls’ lemonade stand has been so impactful. It’s part of who they are.
Learning Together Through Giving
Most importantly, the kids are learning a lot from this experience and really enjoying it.
“It’s fun because it puts a lot of responsibility on me and I like it,” Rori said. “It’s fun getting to do this with my mom.”
Luci is also having a great time helping. “I like it when we get to pour lemonade for the people!” she smiled. “It looks so yummy!”
While both kids are having fun with their summer project, the importance of what they are doing is not lost on them, especially for Rori, being the big sister.
“I like it because my Grandpa would be proud of me,” Rori said. “It’s fun doing this for a good cause and to help people out.”
When asked what she thought would happen if everyone did things like this, Rori replied: “The world would be a better place.”
To keep up with the Schmid family’s efforts to support pancreatic cancer research and patient aid, check out @superstrongscott on Instagram!
Wondering how you can host a lemonade stand or similar event on your own? Visit out Host An Event page for tips and ideas.
