Guest Speaker: Grace Waller

Grace Waller (right, with her father Rotarian Brad Waller) was a successful swimmer in high school, constantly working on her breaststroke and seeking to improve her times. She wasn't about to let a little pain in her knees bother her.

But after her swim season ended in 2008, she couldn't ignore the pain anymore and went to a doctor -- who told her she had cancer.

Grace underwent nearly two years' worth of chemotherapy, and her life fell into a pattern -- chemo, recovery, blood transfusions and pain. But even as she struggled with the disease, she had a bit of hope while in the cancer ward at Rush Memorial Hospital; a friend prepared a care package for her -- a suitcase of individually-wrapped gifts, marked to be opened on specific dates.

This gave her something to look forward to during the long days in the hospital; and after being in remission for six years, she now wants to share that with other patients, through her own charitable organization.

Amazing Grace seeks to provide care packages to patients at Rush; donors can provide money, items to use as gifts, or participate in a number of fundraising events. Anyone looking to help out can get more information by going to: http://www.amazinggracenfp.org/