Poulsbo teen Greer Gates started a jewelry-making business at the age of 7 with one purpose -- to fund cancer research. Now, at 14, she’s working with some of the country's top cancer researchers, providing tens of thousands of dollars for research work and hope.
Greer is fighting cancer, one bead at a time. She has made thousands of bracelets and necklaces. But it’s more than just a hobby. The sales from her creations have totaled $37,000, most of which has been given to cancer research.
“I want a cure for cancer,” Greer said. “That's ultimately what I want. “
In 2005, at the age of 7, Greer made 100 bracelets to sell and raise money to help support a close family friend named Nancy, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Nancy eventually died from the disease, but her memory lives on through Greer’s creations. Greer said Nancy loved turtles.
“On everything we sell, even on the trees and the necklaces, there's a turtle stamp on the back,” Greer said. “And on the necklaces, there's a charm.”
Today, her “Jewels of Hope,” as she calls them, has grown into a registered charity, with nearly every penny donated to fund cancer research at the University of Washington Medical Center.
“I think it’s remarkable for any 7-year-old to do something for one year, but to continue a project that requires this much effort for seven years, that’s impressive perseverance,” said Dr. Elizabeth Swisher, an oncologist with the UW Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research and a prime recipient of Greer’s donations.
“We're using Greer's funds in a number of different ways, to support different research projects. One thing that it's been very helpful for is to support our tissue bank, where we collect cancer tissue from women who have consented to it at the time of our surgery. And then it's used by a number of different researchers who are asking different kinds of questions.”
Swisher said those questions could lead to answers about various female cancers and hopefully a cure.
Greer’s friends said they believe so much in what she’s doing that they meet weekly at her home to piece together bracelets and sort beads and buttons.
“A lot of respect for Greer and her taking it on at such a young age,” friend Jake Yates said.
Greer said it’s all about her late family friend Nancy.
“This is all for her,” Greer said, “and I hope that she's proud of me.”
Greer said she'll continue making jewelry for as long as she can, and is also beginning to write a book -- to help other kids, looking for ways to support causes. Greer’s pieces sell for $12 or less and will be available at the UW later this year.
For those you’d like to support Greer’s goals, click on her “Jewels of Hope” store here.
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