A Rae Of Hope Raises Close To $5,000 For Osteosarcoma Research

Courtesy: Marist Sports Information
Release: 11/04/2009

Courtesy: MAAC Sports

Marist's Raeanna Gutkowski

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – “A Rae of Hope”, a class project started by four Marist students, announced on Monday that it raised close to $5,000 for research in the fight against osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, and the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Pediatrics Cancer unit. The project holds great significance for the Marist volleyball team, as junior Raeanna Gutkowski has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma. 

“A Rae of Hope” consisted of three events organized and ran by Marist students Christopher Barnes, Alicia Mattiello, Cody Lahl, and Dawn Jan, captain of the Marist volleyball team. The group was determined to help bring both the Marist community and the local community together to help fight osteosarcoma. 

The first event held by the group was a “Dining to Donate”, held at the Applebee’s across the street from the Marist campus on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Patrons who brought a “Dining to Donate” voucher to the restaurant that night donated 10% of their check to the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Pediatrics Cancer unit. With wait times of over an hour at points in the evening and an estimated $650 raised, the first event proved to be a success. 

The second event was an information session on osteosarcoma on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Marist College Cabaret. Dr. Mary Dunne, Director of the Marist Health and Wellness Center, spoke on Osteosarcoma, while counselors Andrea Pesavento and Allison Friedman talked to those assembled about methods of coping and outlets to use when dealing with similar situations. 

The third and final event was Sunday’s match against Iona. Over $4,000 was raised via donations and the raffling of prizes, including several items of Jets autographed memorabilia. 1,212 people attended Sunday’s match, the largest single-match crowd in Marist volleyball history.