EG Cancer Survivor, 4, Named Hasbro Children's Champion

Grace Gallonio of East Greenwich has been cancer free for three years.

For her family and the staff at Hasbro Children's Hospital, there's no question that she's a miracle child.

Diagnosed with cancer as the result of a sacrococcygeal teratoma tumor that attached to her spinal cord and tailbone in 2010, she nearly died several times in a long, painful and difficult battle that took her family and friends to the darkest place a parent can end up.

Today, Grace is catching up to her twin sister, making up for lost time and otherwise being a normal 4-year-old girl with her whole life ahead of her.

"She really is a miracle," her father, Anthony Gallonio said in an interview. 

On Tuesday night, Grace was center stage at the Providence Marriott Downtown as she was named the 2014 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Rhode Island Champion.

She was picked for her unwavering resolve, courage and remarkable strength.

Her job in the next year is to be the face for Hasbro Children's Hospital, serving as an ambassador to highlight the work that Hasbro does and to raise awareness about the crucial need for researching, care and treatment funding.

She'll also get to meet President Barack Obama this fall with other Champions from around the country, but the real gift for the Gallonio family is knowing that their miracle baby is home and happy thanks to the folks at Hasbro.

"They saved her life," Gallonio said. "They truly are miracle workers."

A more detailed story about Grace's remarkable recovery and the family's journey will be posted soon. A special thanks is owed to the Gallonio family for sharing their story. In the meantime, check out the family's CarePages site, which provided a detailed account of Grace's treatment and recovery at http://www.carepages.com/carepages/Gracenstein. A free user registration is required.