Grace’s Next Chapter: From Fighter to Future Healer

At the end of last year, we introduced you to Grace—a bright, determined teen and pediatric cancer survivor—whose story inspired so many during our year-end campaign. Today, we’re thrilled to share an update from Grace herself, and as always, she continues to lead with heart, strength, and purpose.

A lot has changed since we last heard from her. Grace is now a high school junior, officially halfway through her high school journey. Like many teens her age, she’s starting to look ahead and think about what the future might hold—but for Grace, that vision is deeply shaped by her experience as a childhood cancer patient. She’s currently exploring a path in nursing, with hopes of one day helping other children facing the same battles she did. “I want to help other children who were in my position,” she says. “I know how important it is to feel seen and cared for.”

But her journey isn’t without challenges. Grace recently shared her concern over the federal cuts to cancer research funding, an issue affecting not just her but every cancer patient and survivor in the country. “It’s not just about fighting cancer today,” Grace told us. “It’s about making sure kids like me have the support and care we need years later, too.” Federal funding cuts slow progress for new treatments, but also threatens to leave survivors like Grace with fewer options for managing long-term side effects.

Despite the setbacks, Grace is diving into an exciting summer ahead. She’ll be serving as a counselor at a camp for children with cancer and their siblings, creating space for kids to laugh, connect, and just be kids. “I’m really looking forward to helping them make happy memories,” she says. It’s another beautiful example of how Grace is turning her experience into something powerful and generous.

And she isn’t doing it alone. Grace says she continues to be inspired by her friends—especially the younger ones—who are passionate about supporting her efforts through her charity work. “Their excitement and motivation to help is amazing to see,” she says. “It gives me so much hope for the future.”

Grace’s story is still unfolding—and every chapter is a reminder of what’s possible when courage, compassion, and community come together.

Thank you for your support of CKc! You make these futures possible for kids like Grace!