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Press Release

Childhood Cancer Research Grant Given in Honor of Sergeantsville Child


July 30, 2015
    • Press Release
    • For Immediate Release

 

  • Media Contact:
    • Traci Shirk
    • 626.792.8247 ext. 250
    • traci@stbaldricks.org

Childhood Cancer Research Grant Given in Honor of Sergeantsville Child

SERGEANTSVILLE, N.J. (July 30, 2015) – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-powered and donor-centered charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, is proud to announce that a St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund created in honor of Rayanna Marrero, from Sergeantsville, N.J., will support lifesaving childhood cancer research taking place in St. Louis, Mo.

The Rays of Hope Hero Fund was started to honor Rayanna, or “Ray Ray” as she was affectionately known by family and friends, who was 3 years old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After completing 27 months of chemotherapy, her family received more bad news – Rayanna had a secondary cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which was more than likely a direct cause of the chemotherapy needed to save her life. She won her battle with MDS after her uncle was found to be a perfect match for a stem cell transplant.

Unfortunately, shortly after her transplant, she was diagnosed with graft-versus-host disease – a common but devastating side effect of bone marrow transplants. Sadly, while Rayanna’s immune system was suppressed to battle this disease she developed a life-threatening infection. She waged war with graft-versus-host disease for nearly a year and a half before succumbing to the disease, but her family continues to raise money through her St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund in hopes that her legacy will bring a cure.

This year, the “Rays of Hope St. Baldrick’s Research Grant” was awarded to Dr. Jaebok Choi at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., affiliated with St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Dr. Choi will be researching graft-versus-host disease, so he can find a way to help kids like Rayanna, who develop this devastating disease.

Her family explains, “they say it takes a community to raise a child. For Rayanna and our family it has also taken a community to honor her memory. It is with great pride and overwhelming thankfulness that we share the news of this grant to Dr. Choi, made possible by the continued efforts of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.”

They add, “Never in our wildest dreams did we foresee the community response to the message carried by our family and friends to raise awareness of the need for childhood cancer research and St. Baldrick’s, and we are forever grateful for the support. It is our sincerest hope that Dr. Choi’s research will open the door for new and better courses of treatment for graft versus-host disease. We are certain that Ray Ray smiles from above and adds her blessing to the grant.”

About St. Baldrick’s Foundation
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-powered charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $176 million to support lifesaving research, making the Foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.

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