The Gracie Fund for Pediatric Cancer
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The Gracie Fund for Pediatric Cancer
  • Home
  • Gracie’s Story
  • Pediatric Cancer
  • Contribute
  • The New Canaan Combine
  • Contact Us

Gracie's Story

october 13, 2022

why the gracie fund?

February 21, 2025

I bet most people cannot easily tell you the worst day of their lives, at least not without having to really think about it.  That is not the case for me or any of my family.  October 13, 2022 was the worst day of our lives.


I had a bad cold in early October that I could not shake.  After a blood test on the morning of October 13, my doctor told my parents that we needed to go to Yale Children's Hospital right away.   


There were more tests and then I remember when Dr. Dan came into our room.  I can even remember the time - it was almost exactly 6pm.  That's when we found out that I had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).  


It is hard to explain what it feels like when you find out that you have cancer.   I can tell you that it takes your breath away.


I have a long road ahead of me but my prognosis is good.  I know that I will beat this and I can't wait to get back to living my ho-hum life!



February 21, 2025

why the gracie fund?

February 21, 2025

For those of you that have never faced a cancer diagnosis, I can tell you that "ringing the bell" is a big deal.  


When I was stuck in the hospital during some very tough times, my nurses and doctors would say to me "just think, you are getting closer to ringing the bell!" or "don't worry, Gracie, one day you are going to ring the bell and forget about all of this." You see, you only get to ring the bell when you beat cancer. 


I spent 845 days in active treatment for Leukemia.  That included 85 nights in the hospital and 22 spinal taps. I missed an entire year of school.  I learned about things like liver toxicity and what a compromised immune system meant.  I had a lot of midnight trips to the emergency room.  I even took a ride to the hospital in the back of an ambulance with the sirens blaring.  I have the most amazing doctors, nurses, family and friends.  They were with me every step of the way.


Today, I rang the bell!  

why the gracie fund?

why the gracie fund?

why the gracie fund?

During the many months of treatment that Grace has endured - the chemo, the surgeries, the hospital stays and late night ER trips - we were constantly in awe of so many of the people we met who were on this journey with us.


The doctors and nurses - they are not like the doctors and nurses you know.  They are superheroes in scrubs.  It takes a special person to be able to care for a child sick with cancer and these good people do it everyday.


The counselors and the therapists and the many others that make it their mission to help the children through this life-altering ordeal. That smile they put on a child's face helps make the chemo and the aches and pains just a little bit better.


The children and their families.  The medicines that are endured with the hope that it will one day lead to that magic word - "cure."  The tears over missed friends, activities and holidays.  The anxiety when the unknown looms over you.  


We want to help all of these people help the children suffering with cancer.

Copyright © 2025 The Gracie Fund for Pediatric Cancer - All Rights Reserved.

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