Girl's 'Jewels of Hope' raise thousands for cancer research

SEATTLE - A 14-year-old Poulsbo girl surprised herself and doctors at the University of Washington when she set a goal to fight cancer with "style."

Greer Gates set out to raise $5,000 - by selling her "Jewels of Hope." But as KOMO News discovered, she not only doubled her goal, she's created hope.

Greer, 14, made thousands of necklaces and bracelets.

When KOMO News first interviewed her in September, she said every penny of sales from her "Jewels of Hope" are for ovarian and breast cancer research. She dreamed of raising $5,000.

But this week she counted her holiday sales - and was shocked to learn, she raised not $5,000 - but $10,000. On Thursday she gave UW cancer researchers a whopping check.

"I just felt like I'm making a big difference, and I should keep doing this because so many more people need their cancer cured, and we need to stop the disease," says Greer.

Judy Granlee-Greer, her mom, says, "When we saw what she sold this year we were speechless - and that she was able to give the hospital that kind of money was just unbelievable."

"She's made an important contribution - it's very impressive," says the UW's Dr. Swisher.

Says Greer: "It's really weird, 'cause I've worked almost half my life on this."

Greer's passion began when she was 7 years old. That's when she learned that a dear family friend, Nancy, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Greer felt so helpless - but realized just because she was a kid, didn't mean she couldn't help.

"That, I think, speaks to Nancy and the type of person she was and how she affects other people," says Greer's mom, who still gets choked up when she talks about her old friend.

Nancy lost her battle with cancer,

But Greer keeps her memory and hope alive. In the past seven years she's raised nearly $40,000 in jewelry sales.

"She would just be so proud," says Greer. "And she would say, 'That's my friend. That's my friend Greer, and I love her to death.'"

Greer says she only surpassed her goal because of the support of family and friends. Her pieces range from $5 to $12.

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Visit Greer's website at www.myjewelsofhope.com.

Source: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Girls-Jewels-of-Hope-raise-thousands-for-cancer-research-136882023.html

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