Devils Spread Holiday Cheer at Children’s Hospitals in New Jersey

NEWARK, NJ – New Jersey Devils players visited RWJBarnabas Health Medical Centers across the state on Thursday afternoon and were on a mission to spread some holiday cheer with pediatric patients, continuing a 40-year tradition that began during the team’s inaugural season.

Cancer survivor Grace Eline, 13, of Gilette, NJ, who signed a one-day contract with the Devils in 2019 on Hockey Fights Cancer Night, anxiously waited to reunite with her former teammates on the fifth floor of The Valerie Fund Children’s Center and greeted alternate captain Jack Hughes with the biggest smile that was undoubtedly beneath her mask when he walked out of the elevator.

Grace wasn’t just there to say hello, she had big plans to show Hughes and his teammates Miles Wood, Mackenzie Blackwood, and Erik Haula around the cancer center where she received life-saving care for her rare form of brain cancer.

“It was definitely exciting to get to show them around cancer center,” Grace said. “When my mom told me about this event last week I couldn’t wait to see them.”

This holiday season in particular was special to Grace, who continues to serve as an advocate for pediatric cancer patients through her non-profit WITH Grace Initiative, because she was put in charge of decorating the lights.

“One of the biggest things we wanted to do this year was put up the lights because we know how it feels to be in the hospital during the holidays,” Grace explained. “We wanted children to feel like they weren’t alone in their fight and that somebody was thinking of them. I know it means a lot to patients and their families.”

The display on the children’s center floor includes a giving tree, wreath, snowflake lights, and icicle lighting in the reception areas.

“I’m super grateful that the Devils were able to come out and see the whole floor decorated,” she added.

Devils forward Hughes, who is enjoying his best start to the season this year as a professional, caught up with Grace and shared a special moment with her.

“It’s really cool to see how she’s grown up and how well she’s doing,” Hughes said.

In exactly one week, Grace will be celebrating four years of being cancer free and is determined to continue being the voice for kids with cancer.

“It’s great to see someone who’s went through it come back and show others that there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” added Devils goaltender Blackwood.

After visiting several pediatric cancer patients and handing out Devils merchandise and other hockey gear, the team toured the recently undergone renovations at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and will be completed by next year.

“It makes a really big impact on our pediatric patients when they come to our cancer center because you can just see the smiles on the children’s faces and their families,” said Amy Doran, chief operating officer at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital. “Grace has taken what has happened to her and transformed it into an organization that supports cancer research. We get so many compliments about how special she is.”

The Devils annual holiday giveback day always brings smiles to children’s faces during a time of need and it shows how small gestures can make a big difference in the lives of those going through tough times.