Girl recognized by President Trump raises money for childhood cancer

A Morris County girl became an overnight sensation after she was introduced by President Donald Trump at Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.

News 12 Staff

Feb 8, 2019, 3:45 AM

Updated 1,917 days ago

Share:

A Morris County girl became an overnight sensation after she was introduced by President Donald Trump at Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.
The president highlighted 10-year-old Grace Eline’s battle against cancer and her fight to help others.
“I didn’t think that a lot of people would be watching it, but I’ve had so many people recognize me and say that they saw me on the State of the Union."
President Trump invited Eline and asked for funding to help cure childhood cancer. He highlighted the thousands of dollars that Eline raised in less than a year.
“She rallied the community and raised more than $40,000 to fight against cancer,” Trump said in his address.
Eline raised that money for the Valerie Fund, a nonprofit that provides psychosocial care for children with cancer staying in the hospital.
Eline was diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2018. She says that the Valerie Fund helped her greatly.
“They took my mind away from what was going on at the moment, so when I was sad they helped me by making me happy,” she says.
The 10-year-old has actually been raising money for children with cancer since she was 4 years old. She says that she did not know that one day she would need that care or get to meet the president of the United States,
“That was pretty cool,” she says.
Her grandfather Dan Reichard says that he watched the address beaming with pride.
“Sitting on our couch watching it with my wife Liz was surreal he says. “I can’t believe we’re watching what we’re watching.”
Eline’s family is currently working to raise more money for the Valerie Fund with a home show in Plainfield. Twenty designers are decorating different rooms in the home dubbed “Grace’s House.” Visitors will be able to stop by the house in April to tour it.
All ticket sales will go to the Valerie Fund.


More from News 12
1:35
Police: Huntington Station pastor arrested for sexually abusing 15-year-old girl

Police: Huntington Station pastor arrested for sexually abusing 15-year-old girl

2:22
Cool with showers for Friday, chance for rain on Mother's Day

Cool with showers for Friday, chance for rain on Mother's Day

1:03
State DEC: Another concrete block found buried at Bethpage Community Park

State DEC: Another concrete block found buried at Bethpage Community Park

1:44
Long Islanders encouraged to donate nonperishable food to Stamp Out Hunger

Long Islanders encouraged to donate nonperishable food to Stamp Out Hunger

0:18
Police: Man dies in Brookville motorcycle crash

Police: Man dies in Brookville motorcycle crash

1:58
Uniondale mom who was in heart failure while pregnant set to celebrate 1st Mother's Day

Uniondale mom who was in heart failure while pregnant set to celebrate 1st Mother's Day

1:29
House Majority Leader Scalise rallies for LI GOP candidates during Franklin Square fundraiser

House Majority Leader Scalise rallies for LI GOP candidates during Franklin Square fundraiser

1:58
Nassau County executive: First class of 7 residents complete training to become armed deputies

Nassau County executive: First class of 7 residents complete training to become armed deputies

2:00
Deputy chief instructor at Nassau Fire Service Academy sustains burns during training exercise

Deputy chief instructor at Nassau Fire Service Academy sustains burns during training exercise

0:38
Navy officials say Bethpage plume is moving about a foot a day

Navy officials say Bethpage plume is moving about a foot a day

0:18
Police: 4 injured after car crashes into Central Islip home

Police: 4 injured after car crashes into Central Islip home

0:21
Animal advocatess: 9 guinea pigs rescued in East Setauket

Animal advocatess: 9 guinea pigs rescued in East Setauket

1:28
Northport-East Northport Board of Ed meeting discusses finalized budget in 1st meeting since teen's arrest for threat

Northport-East Northport Board of Ed meeting discusses finalized budget in 1st meeting since teen's arrest for threat

1:48
Plant lovers flock to Farmingdale State College for annual plant sale

Plant lovers flock to Farmingdale State College for annual plant sale

1:13
The East End: Sag Harbor Honey

The East End: Sag Harbor Honey

1:45
Fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island held at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury

Fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island held at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury

How to report anti-Asian hate crimes in the tri-state

How to report anti-Asian hate crimes in the tri-state

1:42
Town gives Family Service League 45 days to shut down West Babylon homeless shelter

Town gives Family Service League 45 days to shut down West Babylon homeless shelter

2:47
Suffolk law enforcement works with Amazon to prevent illegal contraband from getting into county jail

Suffolk law enforcement works with Amazon to prevent illegal contraband from getting into county jail

2:27
Huntington Town Board hosts second public hearing on walkable downtown in Melville

Huntington Town Board hosts second public hearing on walkable downtown in Melville