Amazing Grace

In December 2017, Grace was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome which quickly evolved into acute myeloid leukemia. Over the past 9 months, she has undergone several courses of chemotherapy and a Bone Marrow Transplant. After coming down with a fever this past week, Grace was admitted to Duke University Hospital and found out that the leukemia has returned.  She is currently receiving blood transfusions; the next step may include clinical trials and another Bone Marrow Transplant.

During the past 9 months, Grace chronicled her experiences online with extraordinary courage and unfettered optimism. She handled every twist and turn in the cancer landscape with grit and grace. If Grace wavered in her determination, she never showed it. No matter where she went, her smile continued to light up a room. For those of us who know her well, this did not come as a surprise. Grace is a woman who loves her family and community deeply and gives to them unconditionally. But considering the circumstances, it is without a shadow of a doubt, amazing.

During the next few months, Grace, Mario, Jonah and Aurora will need their community's support more than ever.  Childcare, play dates, transporting her kids to/from school, and meals are high priority. But most importantly, we need to help ease the financial strain that this illness has placed on her family. For the past 8 years, Grace has spent innumerable hours volunteering for The Lerner School, supporting the Jewish community and helping so many others. It is our turn to give back.