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Amazing Grace: Stamford 13-Year-Old Fights Pediatric Cancer

STAMFORD, Conn. — On any given day you can find Grace Targonsk organizing a fundraiser, giving a presentation about pediatric cancer, or attending to the many details of her non-profit, Caring with Grace.

A Pinot's Palette event organized by Stamford resident Grace Targonsk.

A Pinot's Palette event organized by Stamford resident Grace Targonsk.

Photo Credit: Submitted
Stamford resident Grace Targonsk of Caring with Grace at the Ronald MacDonald House in New Haven.

Stamford resident Grace Targonsk of Caring with Grace at the Ronald MacDonald House in New Haven.

Photo Credit: Submitted
Stamford resident Grace Targonsk at the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven.

Stamford resident Grace Targonsk at the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven.

Photo Credit: Submitted

Sound like a busy, community-minded mom you know?

Think again. Targonsk is in eighth grade at Dolan Middle School and is the founder of an organization meant to educate -- and raise funds-- for pediatric cancer. 

Since forming Caring with Grace in 2014, the 13-year-old Stamford resident not only busies herself with presentations and events, she works with a team on a summer lemonade stand. 

Every September she travels to Washington D.C. to participate in events celebrating Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (rallies, festivals, candlelight vigils, etc.)

And, every May she goes to Capitol Hill as part of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer to talk to senators and all the representatives from Connecticut to talk about the STAR Act bill.

"When I give presentations or speeches I love knowing that I'm spreading awareness about a really important cause. Hearing stories about children and families that have suffered from cancer makes me want to help. 

She admits Caring with Grace takes up a lot of time but she can't imagine doing anything else. "It's my mission," she said. 

Her new endeavor is "Painting With Grace," which offers art lessons to children for a fee, but that allows her to offer the same class to children affected by cancer and their siblings for free. The first of those programs ran this past October and December and she's gearing up for the spring sessions. 

"I can't do this without the support of local artists that offered their talents to give the classes and the support of Chad Smith, owner of Pinot's Palette that offers his studio for this program," she said. 

The next event is scheduled for Thursday, April 20 and will run once a week for four weeks. It will alternate days and studio locations between Stamford and Norwalk.

Go to www.caringwithgrace.org for more information.

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