Author Description

Everyone who knows Grace would tell you that she has always been special. A kind heart and infectious smile allow Grace to lighten the mood wherever she goes. At an early age she decided that at her birthday parties there wouldn't be gifts, but instead charity donations. At 9 years old, Grace was diagnosed with Germinoma, a germ-cell brain tumor. It took several weeks of tests, scans, and appointments with surgeons and specialists before the diagnosis and plan for treatment were set. Through all of it, Grace never forgot to smile and lighten the mood for the other patients she met along the way. In May of 2018, Grace traded her softball glove and gymnastics leotard for chemotherapy and proton radiation. Throughout the rest of the year, Grace stayed positive and strong, making the rounds in the hospital, cheering up other patients and always having a smile for the many caring medical professionals who treated her. Grace will tell you that maybe it wasn't the most fun thing to do, but the people she's met and the friends she's made she wouldn't trade for anything. As the true warrior she is, Grace has channeled her energy into helping several charities with fundraising, awareness campaigns and visits to the Valerie Fund and Rutgers Cancer Institute where she was treated. Even though at only 10 years old Grace has spent more time in hospitals than many people will spend in our lifetime, she always remembers to find her smile when she goes there, and all the people who have met her there would tell you she always brightens their day. While Grace will spend the rest of her life being monitored for recurrence of Cancer, she currently shows no evidence of disease, and is enjoying getting back to her sports and thinking of new ways to help other kids like her who are facing their own cancer journey.