As a little girl growing up in the mountains of Virginia, Grace Ruble decided that she wanted something very special for her 16th birthday.
A television commercial about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital that Grace saw when she was 9 made such an impact on her that she resolved to mark her 16th birthday by giving toys to the children being treated at St. Jude. “That was my birthday wish, and my mom and dad and community and friends all made sure it came true,” Grace said.
She and her family — including her parents, grandparents and sister — recently made the 12-hour drive from their home in Bluefield, Virginia, to Memphis, where they delivered half a van-load of toys and more than $6,000 raised by Grace’s family and community. And they did it on her 16th birthday.
“This is something she has wanted to do for years,” said her father, Billy Ruble. “We finally got it all to come together.”
A sophomore at Graham High School in Bluefield, Grace plays volleyball and plans to be a lawyer when she grows up. She said she's grateful to everyone who made her birthday wish come true and hopes to continue supporting St. Jude in college through the collegiate fundraising program, Up ‘Til Dawn.
To encourage contributions before the trip, the family hosted a pig roast and cookout that featured local musical entertainment. People donated toys at the event and at other locations around Bluefield, which has a population of about 5,400.

Grace, center, with her friends at a pig roast and cookout she hosted to benefit St. Jude.
After years of waiting and planning to visit St. Jude, Grace was very excited to see the hospital. “It was more than what I expected,” she said. “All the artwork on the walls and everything so bright and everybody looked happy.”
During her tour, Grace found the ABC’s of Cancer Wall especially moving. This display of 26 pieces of art work, created by St. Jude patients, offers different perspectives on living with cancer. In this alphabet, H is for hope, G is for getting medicine and W is for warrior.
“That made me cry,” Grace said. “It touched my heart.”
If you want to share your birthday with the kids of St. Jude, visit Birthdays for St. Jude to learn more.
You, too, can help give hope to kids who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.
Read more inspiring stories
-
Journey to the Jude: Lyudmila Tsurkan, PhD, Hematology, Kazakhstan
St. Jude lead researcher Lyudmila Tsurkan of Hematology smiles when recalling her childhood in the central Asian nation of Kazakhstan.
-
Journey to the Jude: Augustine Ntah, Security, Cameroon
Ntah said his welcoming personality stems from his heritage, of which he is immensely proud. He thinks of St. Jude as an extension of his homeland, the central African country of Cameroon.
-
Journey to the Jude: Besian Sejdiu, Structural Biology, Kosovo
Sejdiu is proud to serve an organization that is a locally, nationally and internationally respected driving force in research, pediatrics and employee recruitment.
-
Veteran mechanic reflects on fatherhood, St. Jude experiences
Former U.S. Army diesel mechanic Dennis Hart has served four years as a maintenance mechanic at St. Jude and says he loves working here because of the positive atmosphere.
-
St. Jude kindergarteners celebrate resilience and recess at 2023 graduation
In the 15th year of kindergarten graduations, St. Jude Imagine Academy by Chili’s kindergarteners were honored as part of a virtual ceremony.
-
St. Jude high school seniors graduate with ambition and gratitude
In the 17th year of high school graduations at St. Jude, St. Jude Imagine Academy by Chili’s honored this year’s graduates during the annual high school commencement.
-
Journey to the Jude: Hamda Khan, Hematology, Pakistan
As a medical anthropologist, Hamda Khan studies various social determinants that contribute to the health of patients with chronic illnesses. Learn more about her journey to St. Jude.
-
Mother admires daughter’s journey from St. Jude patient to employee
Mother and daughter bond over their time from patient family to employees at St. Jude.
-
Mother and daughter nurses continue to flourish at St. Jude
Mother and daughter nurses continue to flourish at St. Jude
-
Pawt of the family: New facility dog repawts for duty at St. Jude
Read about Rose, the newest member of the Paws at Play program at St. Jude.
-
Plan in Progress: St. Jude celebrates first year of telehealth services in Tupelo
St. Jude is celebrating a successful first year of providing telehealth services for children with chronic hematological diseases in North Mississippi. Read the story.
-
Doggone cute: St. Jude is paw-leased to welcome employees Snuggle and CC
Read about Snuggle and CC, the two newest facility dogs who are enhancing the patient experience at St. Jude.
-
Being A Father is Everything for St. Jude Patient Dad Chris
When Chris' son Calvin got a devastating diagnosis, it was the lifesaving mission of St. Jude that helped ensure his family remained intact.
-
A St. Jude volunteer “meet cute” leads to engagement
Jordan Watson and Kelly Quiroz met at St. Jude while volunteering and recently got engaged to marry.
-
Father’s Day: St. Jude employees share stories of inspiration
To commemorate Father's Day, read four stories of four St. Jude employees who have the unique experience of calling their fathers colleagues.