The Race for Grace was made in honor of 14 year old Grace Nelson due to her diagnosis to Rhybdomyosarcoma (a soft tissue cancer) in January. It is a fundraising event in which all proceeds and donations are given to the Rein in Sarcoma Foundation for research on Sarcoma cancers. At the event, there is a 1 Mile walk/run and a 5K walk/run. The Race for Grace was organized by Grace’s friend, Aubree Tsurusaki with help from her mom, Karen.
The first Race for Grace was held August 1st 2009 at Apple Valley East High School. The event attracted over 300 walkers/runners and raised over $33,000 for RIS! At the Race, the Nelson family announced the creation of a permanent "RIS Race For Grace Tribute Fund". This allows all current and future donations to the Fund to be made in honor of Grace and the "Race for Grace".
2009 year was the 1st annual Race for Grace! For more infromation about the Race for Grace , Click here. 
To see a slideshow of the First Race for Grace, Click here.
To learn more about the 2nd annual Race for Grace on August 7th, Click here!
To visit the Race for Grace website, Click here.
Grace’s story begins late in 2008, when she noticed a lump on the bottom of her foot. She saw a doctor and began undergoing tests to find out what it was. After having the lump biopsied, Grace and her family learned on January 8, 2009 that she had Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer. The doctors told her she would have to have 54 weeks chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Grace began treatment at the University of Minnesota Hospital in February.
As of now, Grace is almost halfway through her treatments, and her scans have shown major progress in getting rid of the cancer! She has amazed her family and friends with her strength and courage, and has been able to do most of the things she wants to do. Her family is amazed by the kindness and generosity of each and every one of Grace’s supporters.
Everyone is looking forward to the day Grace is done with treatments and is a cancer survivor, although sometimes it seems like it will never come. Thank you to everyone participating and volunteering in the Race for Grace, as well as those who have made donations to Rein in Sarcoma. It is much appreciated by Grace and her family! To visit Grace's CaringBridge website, click here.
The Karen Wyckoff Rein in Sarcoma Foundation (KWRISF) is a resource for families touched by sarcomas, an uncommon and often lethal group of bone and soft tissue cancers that may strike children and younger adults, leaving an especially tender heartbreak.
Often working in partnership with the University of Minnesota, RIS seeks to fund innovative, collaborative and high-impact research.
KWRISF is the largest and best-known sarcoma foundation in the Upper Midwest. Over the past 8 years, with its three-pronged commitment to sarcoma research, support and education, the Fund has reached thousands of people and raised over $450,000!
To donate Race for Grace Tribute Fund, just put Grace's name or the "Race for Grace" in the Tribute section of our secure donation form, click here to donate now.