From Her Boots to Our Hearts

Grace Russell, former Cook Children's patient

Grace Russell’s legacy will support other children in our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Grace Russell was an old soul. At 12 years old, she loved many of the things other kids are interested in, like drawing, being outdoors and reading. But Grace’s mom, Melissa, said that Grace’s passion for her faith, her patience and empathy for others set her apart from her peers.

“Grace was full of love,” Melissa said. “She loved to make people laugh and smile, and she would always be the first one to call you out if you didn’t go to church. If I had to use one word to describe her other than ‘unique’ or ‘rare,’ it would be ‘love.’”

In October 2022, Melissa and Grace were involved in an accident in which an aoudad, a wild sheep often found near the Russells’ home on Possum Kingdom Lake, struck their vehicle on Grace’s side.

Grace suffered a traumatic brain injury, and was transported by helicopter to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth.

Grace’s family prayed for a miracle as doctors, surgeons, nurses and specialists worked to save her life. After 21 days in our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Grace passed away.

“Not once did anyone ever take my hope away from me,” Melissa said. “They worked so hard. I don’t have enough money to pay them for giving me 21 more days with my child — you can’t put a price on that —but I thought what better way to honor Grace and the staff than to host a fundraiser?”

In September 2023, Melissa and her husband, John, hosted the inaugural Boots and Hearts Golf Classic at The Cliffs Resort on Possum Kingdom Lake. The event’s name was inspired by Grace’s story.

“Grace wore her boots everywhere,” Melissa said. “Grace continues to send us love in the form of hearts, whether it be a heart shaped cactus or a long forgotten card or picture that she had drawn.”

Boots and Hearts raised $22,000 for the PICU at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. Melissa and John view Grace’s story not as a tragedy but rather as a love story.

“Grace brought us 12 and a half amazing years,” Melissa said. “From the moment we arrived at Cook Children’s until the moment we left, they treated us like family. We are grateful for the outstanding care and compassion that Grace and our family received.”

Through Boots and Hearts, Grace’s beautiful legacy lives on; her story inspires the generosity that will make miracles happen for other children and families in our PICU for years to come.