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Hero Fund
Rays of Hope

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Rayanna was a bubbly little 3 year old when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She never backed down from the battle nor asked why even when she was diagnosed with a secondary cancer at age 6. Although Rayanna lost her battle, may her infectious smile and this fund send "Rays of HOPE" to children everywhere.
2025
$11,451
Funds Raised in 2025
2024
$20,380
Funds Raised in 2024
$653,084
Total Funds Raised
Since 2013

The Story Behind This Hero Fund

As we know, all too well, heroes come in all sizes.

Rayanna was a happy little three year old when she was diagnosed with ALL. She won that battle and won the battle three years later with MDS. The MDS battle was won with the help of her Uncle Bryan who was the perfect match for her stem cell transplant. Sadly, while Rayanna's immune system was suppressed to win a third battle (Graft Versus Host Disease), a life threatening fungus attacked her body and stole her from us. Life without Rayanna's battles is the tiniest of memories and yet the tiniest part of who Rayanna is in our memory. She was a beautiful giggly little girl filled with compassion for everyone around her, always putting the needs and feelings of everyone before her. She, like so many others facing childhood cancer, did not allow cancer to define who she was. She loved living and everyone and everything around her. Her love of animals showed with all of her pets; a horse, a donkey, two cats, a rabbit and a dog. She was going to be a veterinarian when she grew up. Hope for a normal future was never a question mark. She fought the bravest of battles and never asked "why."

Through research funded by the St. Baldrick's Foundation and "Rays of HOPE" hero fund it is our greatest wish that someday question marks about the future of a child diagnosed with childhood cancer will no longer exist. In life Rayanna's spirit and energy touched the lives of many. In death her legacy and hero fund have the potential to reach so many more!

Highlights & Happenings

  • Filling The Funding Gap

    Filling the Funding Gap

    Learn about the funding gap that impacts childhood cancer research and how St. Baldrick’s is trying to fill it.

  • A beautiful song

    Grab a chair and some tissues and watch as Rayanna’s babysitter sings while being shaved.

  • Dr. Mavers researches treatments for Graft-Versus-Host-Disease

    The money from the Rays of Hope Fund supports Dr. Mavers' GVHD research. Read more about her efforts to help kids with cancer live long, healthy lives after transplant.

Photo Gallery

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Funding in Action

Donations given to Rays of Hope have generously supported a St. Baldrick's Research Grant for Stella Davies M.B.B.S, Ph. D. and St. Baldrick's Scholars grants for Mark Osborn Ph.D., Reshmi Parameswaran Ph.D., and Jaebok Choi, M.D., as well as a St. Baldrick's Scholar Grant and a St. Baldrick's Fellow Grant for Melissa Mavers, M.D., Ph. D.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation is guided by a Scientific Advisory Committee, comprised of leading experts in the childhood cancer community, to ensure that every dollar makes the greatest impact for kids with cancer.

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Who's Involved

These people make us smile - they’re the doers and money-raisers on behalf of Rays of Hope. They’re shaving their heads, hosting events, starting fundraisers and more to make childhood cancer research possible.

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Thank You to Our 2025 Donors

$5,000–$9,999

  • Carol and Randall Voorhees in memory of Nicky Hope

$2,500–$4,999

  • Arties Dinner Dance In Memory Of Rayanna Marrero

$1,000–$2,499

  • Amy Parker

$500–$999

  • Barna Building Contractors Inc.

$250–$499

  • Loryn Williams
  • Stanley Bailey Jr.

$100–$249

  • Sandra Roth
  • Psi Pressure Washing
  • Kelly Huggins In Memory Of Rayanna Marrero
  • Andrew and Genevieve Carman
  • John and Patricia Komssi

$1–$99

  • Joanne Castanza
  • Barbara Moore In Memory Of Rayanna Marrero
  • Roger and Judith Copt
  • R. and C. Smallwood
  • Sheryl Yard
  • The Reel to Real Country Band
  • Eben Parker
  • Kelsey Canan
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Get Involved Your Own Way

  • Create An Event

    Start your own St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event to support our Hero Fund! A dedicated staff member will guide you every step of the way—and you’ll have fun doing something great for kids with cancer.

    Start an event

  • Be a Shavee

    Register to shave your head and support our Hero Fund at any St. Baldrick’s event worldwide! No event nearby? Go virtual and shave anytime, anywhere.

    Register Now

  • Start a Fundraiser

    Not into head-shaving? No problem! Start a fundraiser for our Hero Fund doing something you love—bike a marathon, host a bake sale, anything goes!

    Start a fundraiser

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Private events are for people at the company, organization, school, etc., where the event is taking place. Please don't crash the party.

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Private events are for people at the company, organization, school, etc., where the event is taking place.