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Erica Endris

ENG 111_44

Prof. Intawiwat

11 April 2017

The Amazing Grace Foundation

Most people are unaware that less than 4% of funds donated to cancer organizations will

go towards pediatric cancer research thats why its so important to bring awareness to those who

are unaware of the world of pediatric cancer. The Amazing Grace Foundation is a nonprofit

organization that was set up to help fund treatments needed for children diagnosed with cancer

and their familys expenses. Proceeds that are donated to the foundation will also go towards all

pediatric cancer research in hopes of finding new treatments that are less harmful and more

effective, as well as helping a childs wish come true, through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

100% of all proceeds go to the designated organizations and persons, all donations are tax

deductible filed under a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status.

The Amazing Grace Foundation was started at Grace Haynes request, and in her honor, to

help those who are facing the same situation as herself and her family. Grace was a twelve-year-

old girl who was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer, osteosarcoma, on March 26th, 2014. Graces

mother Yvonne Nagle is the president of The Amazing Grace Foundation and the board members

consist of Sean Nagle, Graces stepfather, Lee Haynes, Graces father, and George Calbo who is

the treasurer of the foundation and a non-voting board member. Board meetings are held

quarterly and all final decisions are based off a majority vote. The president nor board members

receive a salary and are based on a volunteer basis only. The board meeting is done through

skype where the three of them discuss new ways of raising money for the foundation. One of
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which is to hold an auction, the idea was presented to auction off a pair of cleats given to Grace

from Thomas Davis, a Carolina Panther player, as well as some other Carolina Panther

memorabilia that was given to Grace while she was undergoing her treatments.

To date, $30,000 has been raised through donations and fundraisers; such as KIC5K,

which is held annually in October at Grand Oak Elementary in Huntersville NC. Partner 204

North located on N Tryon St. in Charlotte NC, named a cocktail after the foundation named The

Amazing Grace, for each cocktail that is purchased 204 North donates a dollar to The Amazing

Grace Foundation. For those who may be interested in donating to the foundation or getting

involved to raise awareness by becoming a sponsor can do so by visiting

TheAmazingGraceFoundation.org

Grace and Larry Monaco started the first support group in 1968 for parents with children

who were battling cancer as they were, later they would officially form a foundation named the

Candlelighters, now known as the American Childhood Cancer Organization (Krueger, G.

2008). The parenting meetings would later involve a team of professionals as well as doctors

and nursing staff treating their children at the Childrens National Medical Center (Monaco &

Chester 2016). Meetings would be held in parent waiting rooms or other available spaces they

could find to discuss ways of improving the child's situation (Monaco & Chester 2016). From

the original group of parents, it was Bev and Bob McGaughy who suggested clinical trails and

appropriations for childhood cancer research (Monaco & Chester 2016). These group of

parents, as well as those involved in the meetings, helped to change childhood cancer through the

success of starting the Diet Cancer and Nutrition Program as well as building a team of

professional volunteers, giving free advice to families (Krueger, G. 2008). The Candelighters
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continued to grow and by 1980 the American Society began funding the foundation(Krueger,

G. 2008).

Lucys Love Bus provides resources for organizations to families, that are dedicated to

the cause of childhood cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, along with organizations that

support their families. Some of which are; Team Impact a nonprofit organization, outside of

funding children who have received treatments or extended stays in hospitals, partner with local

sports teams to teach team-building skills with the help through encouragement and support

(e.g., Lucys Love Bus n.d., para. 1). Courageous Parents Network is a support group where

parents can come together to learn coping mechanism that will help them through their child's

personal journey (e.g., Lucys Love Bus n.d., para.2). Maxlove Project is nonprofit, providing

families with a whole-body wellness program (e.g., Lucys Love Bus n.d., para 3). Andrews

Helpful Hands support families through the Bone Marrow Transplant process (e.g., Lucys Love

Bus n.d., para 9). Little Kidz Foundation is geared to infants providing them massages (e.g.,

Lucys Love Bus n.d., para 11). Over the years medical professionals have come to the

awareness and understanding that families can not meet the financial burden and stress that

awaits them when their child has been diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Foundations and support groups have become a part of the regiment to help families during these

trying time.

Make-A-Wish started in 1980 with a 7-year-old boy named Chris Greicius who was

battling leukemia (e.g., First Wish n.d., para.1). It was his wish of wanting to become a

policeman that inspired others to get involved to make his wish come true and from there, one

child's wish has led this foundation to grow into the worlds largest wish-granting organization

(e.g., First Wish n.d., para. 10. Make-A-Wish gives a child something to look forward to, giving
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them that extra boost of energy and strength they need to fight their battle (e.g., Wish Impact

n.d., para. 1). Though the possibilities are endless for a child's wish, under certain circumstances

some wishes do have restrictions that are based on various factors that relate to the wish request

and the child's medical condition (e.g., Qualifying For A Wish n.d., para. 3).

St. Jude was founded in 1955 by Danny Thomas (Winogard, C 2008), the most well-

known children's research hospital in the world, providing care for children with pediatric

cancer and other life-threatening diseases (Winogard, C 2008). St. Jude provides ongoing

studies for new treatments to patients who are eligible to receive them (Winogard, C 2008).

Families who do not have insurance will be provided free care, and for those that do, are not

asked to pay more than what their insurance covers (Winogard, C 2008). For families that travel

or may need to stay for an extended time due to their child's illness, St. Jude will provide the

patient and one parent a room or apartment provided by St. Jude Houses, like the Ronald

Mcdonald House, Target House, or the Memphis Grizzlies House (Winogard, C 2008). Events

are held throughout the year that helps fund the research at St. Jude (Winogard, C 2008).

Though the cause of childhood cancer is unknown, by donating, opens the door for new studies

that could potentially lead to finding a cure.

The Amazing Grace Foundation and organizations alike have come to be, due to the

personal impact it has had on individual families. The founder's sole purpose of The Amazing

Grace Foundation is to bring hope and a brighter future for those who will embark on this

journey. Every person can make a difference by involving themselves in any one of the

organizations that are out there to help fight against childhood diseases.
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www.acco.org
American childhood Cancer Organization ACCO
History | Charity | Foundation

www.lucyslovebus.org
Resources for families of children with cancer-
Lucys Love Bus
Lucys Love Bus > what-we-do > resources

https://www.worldwish.org
Make-A-Wish International: Home page

https://www.thetruth365.org>mission
The Plan-The Truth 365

Winograd, C. (2008). St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In G. A. Colditz, Encyclopedia of

cancer and society. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.cpcc.edu/login?

Krueger, G. (2008). Candlelighters childhood cancer foundation. In G. A. Colditz, Encyclopedia

of cancer and society. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.cpcc.edu/login?
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