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BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARKOWITZ ENCOURAGES BROOKLYNITES TO DONATE FUNDS TO
SUPPORT GRACIE’S LIFE-SAVING OPERATION

Photographs by Jocelyn Aframe

In photo: Borough President Marty Markowitz presents a proclamation to Amelia Grace and her parents Brian Morton and Heather Harpham.

On Saturday, November 6, Borough President Marty Markowitz proclaimed the day “Amelia Grace Day,” at a special block party in honor of 3 ½ year old Amelia Grace Harpham. The families of Webster Place and South Park Slope hosted the block party to raise funds for Amelia Grace who was born in 2001 with a mysterious bone marrow disease, which leaves her dependent on blood transfusions to survive. When her brother Gabriel was born, there was only a 25% that he would be a match. Miraculously, he was, and will be donating his stem cells this December in a three-month long bone marrow transplant at Duke University in North Carolina. The procedure will cost an estimated $85,000.

“It’s a tragedy when anyone is diagnosed with a serious disease, but your heart feels even heavier when a three year-old is fighting the battle of her life,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “Brooklynites are known for their generosity and helping out their neighbors in times of need, and Gracie’s community is no exception. I urge all Brooklynites to come and celebrate Gracie’s courage and zest for life, while helping her family pay for this critical medical operation. Gracie, Brooklyn is rooting for you!”

Several local merchants donated gift certificates or items such as a portable DVD player for the raffles at the block party. Donations to support Gracie’s operation can be made online by visiting the Children's Organ Transplant Association at www.cota.org and designating that the contribution is for Amelia Grace. Checks made out to "COTA for Amelia Grace" can be sent to Children's Organ Transplant Association, 2501 COTA Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403. COTA is a non-profit organization. All the money COTA receives for Amelia Grace will go straight to the family.