A 9-year-old girl collapsed on the playground during recess on her first day of fourth grade in Henderson, Kentucky. According to family, Lucy Nash's heart stopped for several minutes. She was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, did not survive.
Her family and community are mourning the loss of a young girl who could be described as a "sister, lover, catcher, reader, cartwheeler, naturalist, singer, LEGO master builder, child of god, and friend of anyone," according to her dad, Ryan Nash.
More from CafeMom: 10-Month-Old Louisiana Baby Dies in Hot Car After Mom Was Called In to Work & Forgot Her
She experienced a 'cardiac event.'
On a GoFundMe page started for Lucy and her family, Lucy's loved ones explained that "on the first day of school Lucy collapsed and had a cardiac event."
"Her little brain went many minutes without oxygen while they were trying to save her life," they continued. Lucy was described as a "bright light in a sometimes grim world."
Lucy was declared brain-dead at the hospital.
On Facebook, Lucy's dad described "a sudden change in Lucy’s vitals" one night. The next morning, he explained, "the doctor who brought my bright, energetic 'smart cookie' to Riley’s 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's dad wrote.
More from CafeMom: Toddler Has Foot Amputated After Being 'Run Over' by a Lawnmower While at Day Care
Her family is thankful for the time they were able to spend with her.
The family is dealing with "unexplainable agony" as they mourn the loss of Lucy. They are also grateful for the time that they spent with her.
"We got 9 years, 56 days of abundant, joyous, carefree and compassionate life together," Lucy's dad wrote on Facebook. "And despite the unexplainable agony, I’m glad for every hour."
Many people in the community wore pink to show their support for Lucy and her family.
Family and friends started a social media campaign to honor Lucy. They called it "Pinkies up 4 Lucy" because Lucy loved to paint her fingernails pink, reported WFIE. People at Lucy's school, Cairo Elementary, and across the Henderson community, got involved by wearing pink in honor of Lucy.
Lucy's organs will be donated.
Lucy's family said that her body is being prepared for organ donation. "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. Keeping her heart going maximizes the good she can do," Lucy's dad wrote on Facebook. "All she ever wanted to do was good."
