Northshore Magazine

ne Health Budding Artist With a camera and a vision, Grace Cohen pursues her mission. for a cause Amazing Grace Cancer motivates 10-year-old Grace Cohen to see hope in the scenes around her. By Kiley Jacques "i started when i was eight because my mom had cancer," says Grace Cohen. "I was in a photography class and everyone liked my pictures, so I decided to make cards to raise money for cancer research because of my mom." Her mom is two-time cancer survivor Deb Cohen. When Grace was a baby, Deb was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. She beat it. When Grace was eight years old, the cancer returned. She beat it again. "It was such a bad thing," Deb explains, "but here we are, almost three years later, and [Grace] is just so inspired by this mission. We are so proud." 30 nshoremag.com December 2013 KJ NBDec13 Gracie.indd 30 "My grampy died of cancer before I was born… so that's why I really want to find a cure," says Grace, "because I don't want other people dying." Deb explains that if people donate to Grace's cause, they receive a package containing four of the young photographer's cards as a token of thanks. "Her first cards," explains Deb, "were called 'Life in Bloom.'" They feature flowers from the Stevens Estate in North Andover; her neighbor's garden which, come summer, is brimming with roses; and sunflowers she spotted at a local farm. Back then, Grace toted along a small digital camera. Now, she proudly displays her "big camera"—a Canon with zoom lenses given to her by her supportive "step-grampy." Since that first summer, Grace has taken two more photography classes, bringing her up to the intermediate level at the creative arts camp she attends each year. She points to the ceramic pieces she made there last year and giggles about how much she loves "anything artsy." Grace's second photograph series focused on animals or rather, she tried to, but the animals wouldn't keep still long enough to photograph them. (She did manage to get a few great shots of two leopards and a couple of zebras at the Franklin Zoo in Boston.) "Her latest thing," says Deb, "is called 'Seasonal Grace.'" The pair points to photos inspired by the four seasons that were taken at Smolak Farms, the Stevens Estate, Harold Parker State Forest, and on Cape Cod—some of Grace's favorite places. These were among the photos she shared at Andover's Arts in the Park event, which earned her a little press in the local paper. "I'm pretty practiced with these reporter things," says the young philanthropist. Over the course of this school year, Grace hopes to rally classmates to join her mission. She is very determined to get to the Super Bowl, which is something the group might be able to do, if they raise enough money. Reminding us all that she is still very much a kid, Grace sounds pretty jazzed about the prospect of "free" ice cream at the game—one of the rewards for her efforts. Another of her objectives came to her while "thinking at night." She would like to find a child her own age who has cancer and get to know him or her, then raise money on her new friend's behalf. She has contacted the Jimmy Fund to learn how to approach the idea. So far, Grace has raised $2,000. "This year, I am going to raise more," she says, "because I am adding my class and Girl Scout troop." She will likely present another check to the Jimmy Fund, as she has for the last two years. "I love the Jimmy Fund [building]," says Grace. "There's a relaxing room—it says 'hope' in all different languages. It's a really cool place." When asked if she intends to continue with her mission long-term, Grace answers with absolute conviction, "Definitely." graciebdesigns.com photographs by patrick marasco 10/24/13 5:35 PM

• Cover