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 1,915 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
2:09
Exclusive look at field and stadium built for Cricket World Cup at Eisenhower Park

Exclusive look at field and stadium built for Cricket World Cup at Eisenhower Park

2:17
STORM WATCH: Thunderstorms possible Wednesday morning on LI

STORM WATCH: Thunderstorms possible Wednesday morning on LI

Family raises money to reunite Farmingdale HS sweethearts killed in Washington accident

Family raises money to reunite Farmingdale HS sweethearts killed in Washington accident

0:26
Lindenhurst man sentenced to up to 40 years behind bars for burning women with clothing iron

Lindenhurst man sentenced to up to 40 years behind bars for burning women with clothing iron

1:47
Man accused of killing NYPD detective from Massapequa Park indicted on murder charges

Man accused of killing NYPD detective from Massapequa Park indicted on murder charges

0:54
SBU faculty senate votes to demand that all charges be dropped for 29 arrested at protest

SBU faculty senate votes to demand that all charges be dropped for 29 arrested at protest

1:39
Bee on the lookout: Bees are all the buzz at Shoreham-Wading River HS

Bee on the lookout: Bees are all the buzz at Shoreham-Wading River HS

0:44
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine addresses public safety, inflation in State of the County

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine addresses public safety, inflation in State of the County

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

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

1:38
Sand delivered to Tobay Beach as crews work on opening access to the beach

Sand delivered to Tobay Beach as crews work on opening access to the beach

2:03
Made on Long Island: Roxy’s Ice Cream Truck

Made on Long Island: Roxy’s Ice Cream Truck

1:29
Police identify woman killed in Centereach hit-and-run

Police identify woman killed in Centereach hit-and-run

3:07
LI man mistakenly declared dead by Social Security, leading to severe consequences

LI man mistakenly declared dead by Social Security, leading to severe consequences

1:54
Nassau police arrest accused jewelry thief wanted across the world

Nassau police arrest accused jewelry thief wanted across the world

1:41
$400 million boost in federal funds coming for security at places of worship

$400 million boost in federal funds coming for security at places of worship

2:06
’Survivor’ exhibit highlights 18 local Holocaust survivors

’Survivor’ exhibit highlights 18 local Holocaust survivors

0:22
Police: Driver wanted in fatal New Cassel hit-and-run

Police: Driver wanted in fatal New Cassel hit-and-run

0:53
Glen Cove Hospital holds clap-in for nurses to kick off National Nurses Week

Glen Cove Hospital holds clap-in for nurses to kick off National Nurses Week

2:23
Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Massapequa Park

Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Massapequa Park

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos