Brown and Woods: two FEARLESS area teens that need your help

 

Last Christmas Eve, as a special gift to her mom, she wrapped up a box with a message inside saying she would do Radium treatment again, which she had previously done the summer before. Grace’s chest scan from December to January showed significant growth of her tumors. The scans from January to March of 2015 showed slow growth, which means the radium is not killing the cancer, but it is slowing it down and giving Grace some more time. 

 

As of right now, she is still feeling well enough to be able to go to school at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls. Grace continues to receive the Radium treatments but is trying to live as much as she can, while she can. She now has her driver’s license and spends as much time with her family and friends as possible!

 

Through many area events and fundraisers that have been held in honor of her, Grace has met a friend that has helped open new doors for her. Saphire Brown is a high school senior from Northome, MN. She is a musician, songwriter and motivational speaker. Saphire met Gracie last September and was instantly drawn to her and her strength. The two joined forces, speaking together at various schools around the area as part of Saphire’s Courage Campaign that takes a stand against bullying. The two have became really great friends.

 

At Grace’s 16th birthday party, on December 23, 2014, Saphire surprised Grace by singing a song she wrote for her called “Fearless”. The song is completely based on Grace and her story of how she is getting through terminal cancer. Over the winter, Saphire traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to record some of her songs; “Fearless” was one of them. The song will be released for the first time ever on Wednesday, April 15th, at the Lincoln High School Auditorium at 7pm. This event is a fundraiser/concert that is being held to raise money for Saphire and Grace to have a music video made of “Fearless” that will star both girls. The music video is going to be inspiring and uplifting for all who have went through cancer, all who are going through cancer and for all who have lost the battle. For Gracie to be a part of this video is so important as it will give her family and friends something to look back on in remembrance of her. 

 

But your help is needed! The cost of the music video is $10,000 and needs to be raised by April 26th. As of April 13th, $1,510 has been raised.

 

The music video is being produced by Harlan Hegna, a production coordinator at Asylum Entertainment. He is also a writer, director and freelance videographer at Must Go Fast Productions LLC and lives in Los Angeles, California. The music video is scheduled to start production on April 26th in Grace’s hometown, TRF, and the $10,000 needs to be paid that day. Hegna had heard about Grace’s diagnosis through Saphire and is taking time off from his work to fly up here and produce the video, stating it has special meaning to him as his mother was diagnosed with cancer. 

 

If you are interested in donating, you can help these girls reach their goal! Donations can be made online at http://www.gofundme.com/pxn7do or by mailing them in to Saphire Brown Fan Mail, PO Box 394, Blackduck, MN 56630.

 

As mentioned, a fundraiser/concert is being planned for Wednesday, April 15th at the Lincoln High School Auditorium in Thief River Falls. The “Fearless” event will run from 7-9pm. Along with the exclusive release of “Fearless”, there will also be performances by Topanga Brown, Northern Lights Dance Studio, Karleen Wilde, D.J. Bernstein and friends of Gracie Woods. A silent auction will be held, along with a meet and greet with Grace. Admission is $5/person or $4 if wearing your “Prayers for Gracie” shirt.

 

An extraordinary, inspiring and powerful night is being planned; all are welcome!

 

For more information on Gracie Woods, you can follow her Caring Bridge page at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/gracewoods