Grace’s Celebration for Myeloma Research

"Cancer was and is the gift I didn’t want, but I so needed. In an instant, it changed me, turned my world upside down, and then shifted my perspective on how to live my remaining days with purpose, intention, joy, and gratitude."

With these powerful words, Grace Hwang ended a successful fundraising event on behalf of the HealthTree Foundation.

Early June, Grace reached out to HealthTree to help host a myeloma research fundraiser to celebrate her 40th birthday and new journey with multiple myeloma. For a couple of years, she had plans to celebrate her 40th in the south of France. However, when she was diagnosed with myeloma in January of this year, her priorities shifted.

"Celebrating my 40th seemed out of the question," Grace shared. "My goal at that time had abruptly shifted to learning as much about this cancer and staying alive and healthy."

A month into her diagnosis, Grace and her husband attended a seminar hosted by the HealthTree Foundation.

"I was incredibly touched by all the hard work put in and the care the people involved in hosting the seminar," she recalled. "There was accessible and free education, support groups, other patients in the same boat and a panel of renowned doctors. I left feeling less anxious: I was empowered, supported and hopeful in moving my life forward with this disease."

This experience had a profound impact on Grace.

"HealthTree helped me build that foundation of gratitude and hope that is so needed for every patient," she explained. "The impact they had on me at the beginning stages of my diagnosis was an integral part of shifting my perspective from fearing the cancer to conquering the cancer. There was no question about who I would have wanted to partner with for this fundraiser."

The event was held at Sweet Elle in Huntington Beach, a business Grace started in 2007. Around 250 family members, friends, members of her Huntington Beach community, and customers helped celebrate and support this new chapter of her life. There was her mother’s Korean BBQ, a DJ, and specialty drinks. Close family members and friends spoke about her life and shared their special memories with her and the impact she had on them.

Grace spoke last, and there was a tangible silence of respect. She touched upon how her cancer essentially saved her from focusing too much on the little things that didn’t matter in life, truly missing out on what was important: family, friends, and living in gratitude and peace. Her family and friends left the celebration with renewed inspiration, hope, and gratitude, even for their own lives.

Join Grace Hwang in Celebrating Her 40th Birthday by Supporting Myeloma Research! 

Together, they raised over $10,000 already, but the fundraiser continues as Grace hopes to raise $40,000 in 40 days to mark her 40th birthday.

We invite all myeloma patients and their loved ones to help Grace reach her goal. All donations will be redirected entirely towards myeloma research, which will help us find a cure faster.

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Inspired by Grace's story? Learn how you can host your own fundraising event for HealthTree and help accelerate myeloma research! Visit our Get Involved page to get started.