The Sarah Grace Foundation memorializes the late Sarah Grace, who passed away from leukemia in November 2002. The Sarah Grace Foundation is an all-volunteer charity, which means that all proceeds from events go directly to financial aid, funeral expenses, meal and transportation expenses, core programs, “The Bead Program”, “The Escape Hatch”, “Sarah’s Angels Book Program” and of course, their generous sponsorship of Chemo Duck. Additionally, the foundation provides toys, games, parties, ballgame outings and more to help ease the burden of these wonderful children as well as their siblings.
The Sarah Grace Foundation has been working with Gabe’s Chemo Duck Program since 2011 when a hospital partner informed Matt Weippert, Sarah’s dad, about it. Matt was reminded so much of Sarah and her desire to help others that the foundation made a commitment to sponsor it throughout their region, and have remained committed to Chemo Duck ever since.
The Sarah Grace Foundation has been heavily focused on the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) with key interest in bereavement time after the loss of a child. The original FMLA did not allow for bereavement time for the loss of a child (for any reason), so the foundation has been working with their local Congressman and others throughout the country to amend the legislation to include this bereavement time. While amended legislation has been introduced to Congress multiple times, it still has not presented to a successful vote. The foundation is hopeful that the current Congress will accept and pass the legislation known as “The Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger” Parental Bereavement Act. (H.R. 983)
Please see links to the bill and a recent presentation on the floor of Congress:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/983
We are so grateful for all that the Sarah Grace Foundation helps us with! We truly cannot fight this battle alone.
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