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The Legend of the Lucky Lizard — A True Story

Every Lucky Lizard carries a story.

Not just the story printed on the small card that accompanies it—but the story of how one unexpected moment between a paramedic and a patient became a mission that would touch tens of thousands of lives.

More than 27 years ago, Caryn “CJ” Jaffe was working as a paramedic on a pediatric hematology/oncology unit. Like many healthcare workers during long overnight hours, she and her colleagues found small ways to stay awake and grounded during emotionally demanding shifts. 

One night, she and her charge nurse got craft supplies from the unit’s playroom created a small, beaded lizard out of pony beads after CJ put up resistance. “I don’t bead.” Despite her initial objection, she and her colleague successfully constructed the creature.  CJ’s looked very different than the instructions said it would.

The craft wasn’t intended to be anything extraordinary. It was simply something to keep her hands busy and eyes open during a sustained lull in unit activity. 

She didn’t follow the directions right, and still jokes that she took some extra creative liberties but was proud of her successfully unsuccessful attempt. She clipped it to her hospital ID badge and returned to her work.

Days later, one of her patients—a teenager facing the unimaginable weight of cancer—had a “very bad day.”

She introduced him to her small, beaded creature calling it a “Lucky Lizard.” To provide him comfort, she said, “I know you’re worried about getting out of bed later. I also know,”

“The Lucky Lizard’s gonna make it okay.”

Hours later, CJ and the charge nurse returned to the teen’s room to help him out of bed. He completed his walk around his room, sat down on the on the edge of his bed and let out a huge sigh of relief. He then pointed to CJ’s Lucky Lizard, and said, “Give me that.”

She told him it was a Lucky Lizard.

She told him it was for strength.

He showed her it was for hope, later explaining he repeated “The Lucky Lizard’s’ gonna make it okay,” over and over and over for 2 hours straight.

And in those moments, something shifted.

The Lucky Lizard became more than beads and string. It became a symbol. A companion. A source of comfort during a time when comfort and calm was often difficult to find.

The patient’s response made it clear: something small could carry enormous meaning. This was later affirmed by a nurse manager from a different unit awarded CJ with the hospital’s The All-Star Award for using her Lucky Lizard to reassure a patient who was having a “very bad day,” 

From that day forward, CJ continued making Lucky Lizards.

At first, for individual patients and friends.

Then for entire hospital units.

Then for hospitals across the country.

Then for everyday people who deserve a tangible reminder that ‘We never walk alone.’

To date, CJ has crafted more than 90,000 Lucky Lizards in over 100 different designs and in 5 different sizes. She knows she has never made 2 alike. She’s used them to fundraise for various charitable organizations. have been donated to children, patients, caregivers, friends, healthcare workers, and athletes nationwide and internationally. 

Each one is still handcrafted by CJ.

Each one is still 100% unique.

Each one still carries the same message that was shared all those years ago:

You are not alone.

You are stronger than you know.

There is hope.

Why Every Lucky Lizard Includes The Legend

Every Lucky Lizard is accompanied by a copy of The Legend of the Lucky Lizard — A True Story.

Because the story matters.

It reminds the person receiving it that this small companion was not mass-produced or randomly given.

It was created with intention.

It was created by someone who understands.

It was created for them. 

Nurse CJ reports, somehow the perfect Lucky Lizard finds its’ intended recipient as she always seems to have the exact colors requested.  “It’s magical. It happens all the time and I can't explain it. It's truly amazing."