Freehold Township resident and cancer survivor Grace West, known as “Cookie” to her family members and friends, was recently honored by Monmouth County state Assembly members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey for her tenacious spirit and dedication to helping other young cancer patients.
Houghtaling and Downey honored Grace with an official resolution from the New Jersey General Assembly on June 24 during a small ceremony at the District 11 legislative office in Ocean Township. The event was attended by Grace’s friends, family members and Freehold Township Mayor Barbara McMorrow, according to a press release.
“Ms. West is an extremely inspiring young woman who exemplifies just how far courage and positivity can take you,” said Houghtaling (D-Monmouth), “We are very proud of her and she certainly has a bright future ahead of her.”
“Grace’s strength and optimism is so inspiring. It is remarkable how, after beating cancer herself, she is now dedicated to selflessly helping other young cancer patients,” said Downey (D-Monmouth). “We are in awe of her extraordinary efforts toward eradicating pediatric cancer.”
According to the press release, Grace was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma when she was 10 years old in 2013. She and her mother founded the Cookie’s Crumblers foundation to help raise money for her extensive treatments.
Now that Grace has no evidence of disease, the foundation will be dedicated toward helping other children defeat cancer as well, according to the press release.
On June 4, 2016, the foundation celebrated its 2016 Inaugural Gala of Gratitude. Grace said her hope is to grow the foundation and continue dedicating a portion of its proceeds to research aimed at curing and eliminating childhood cancers.
For more information, visit www.cookiescrumblers.org