No More Umbrellas: Plant City Family Honors Daughter’s Memory with New Nonprofit 17

-year-old Morgan Pierce battled neuroblastoma for almost 13 years, and sadly, she passed away on June 25, 2020. Morgan left an impression on people, an impression that is still felt by the Plant City community.

Morgan was strong, fierce, and brave, and championed fairness, inclusion, and kindness for all. Despite facing her own battle, Morgan advocated for other kids through events such as Good Cookie Run/Walk, Jensen’s Heart of Gold Gala, Play for a Cure, and more.

After bonding with another parent in the hospital, the Pierces started a Florida Chapter of Jensen’s Heart of Gold. Jensen’s has now been dissolved, but Morgan’s parents Emily and Clint Pierce, along with Morgan’s sister Allison, have now launched a new nonprofit, No More Umbrellas, with the mission to support all kids experiencing hardship. Morgan envisioned a world with only rainbows, no more rain, and ‘No More Umbrellas.’

“When she was young, she made a popsicle rainbow and painted the words ‘No More Umbrellas,’ underneath it,” said Emily. “During her treatments, I saw a lot of kids with cancer looking “for rainbows,” wanting to play with friends or ask if they can get an extra toy from the treasure box because they also wanted their sibling to be happy. It stayed with me. I thought Morgan’s ‘No More Umbrellas’ was a good fit.”

Morgan believed kids enduring difficulties should not be defined by their adversities but bolstered by their talents and abilities while receiving tools to persevere.

While people may be familiar with Jensen’s Heart of Gold programs, the programs are re-imagined and unique to No More Umbrellas and unique to Morgan. Emily says the long-term vision is to offer mental, emotional, and physical support for kids in need throughout Central Florida facing cancer, foster care, food insecurity, and other hardships.

Currently, the foundation is focusing on supporting pediatric oncology patients and their families, through the foundation’s Heart of Gold Fund, a cash assistance program for kids with cancer. In July, the foundation will host a Christmas in July toy drive, collecting unwrapped toys for the patients at four local pediatric oncology centers. Hospital social workers report that toys are low in May and June, so the foundation hopes to fill their supply in July. Visit nomoreumbrellas.org for more information and a schedule of events.

If you’re interested in making a donation to No More Umbrellas or would like to make your business a Christmas in July toy drop-off location, email Emily Pierce at emily@nomoreumbrellas.org.