Palatine Girl with Inoperable Brain Tumor Raises Money for Cancer Research

Seven-year-old Rosie Colucci of Palatine is living with an inoperable brain tumor and Neurofibromatosis (NF), and has been working all month to raise money for pediatric research to find a cure for illnesses.  

Rosie plans to dance in the Chicago Dance Marathon to be held in early March.  Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of $500, but Colucci has loftier goals than that.

In her fundraising effort that began Feb. 1, the young girl known to her
doctors and nurses at Children’s Memorial has already been able to raise close to $5,000-but needs help from the community to reach her goal of $30,000 by March 1.

“We are hoping to get more schools and the community at-large to help us not only raise funds but spread awareness of pediatric illnesses that Children’s Memorial treats,” said JoAnne Colucci, Rosie’s mother. “For that facility-which also has a world class research center-to be in our backyard is remarkable.”

Rosie’s team, 'Rosie’s Rock Stars’ are currently in fourth place behind other teams vying to be the first place fundraisers. She is maintaining her lead though as top individual fundraiser, but her goal is to be number one for both.    

“Rosie likes to specifically raise funds for research, and all of the money raised will go directly to Children’s Memorial,” Colucci said. “She wants to help fund a cure and give kids hope for a better future; one with a long life!”

Children’s Memorial is currently constructing the new Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, a 23-story state-of-the-art children’s hospital in downtown Chicago. It is expected to open June 9.  

“The new building is attracting world class pediatric doctors to our area, which will only increase the value of the already high level of care for children in the Chicagoland area who suffer from various disease and illness,” Colucci said.

If you would like to help Rosie meet her fundraising goal, visit this website, or send a check made payable to "Children's Memorial Hospital"/ Rosie's Rock Stars, PO Box 725, Palatine, IL 60078.

A video message from Rosie about her efforts is attached to this story.

The Chicago Dance Marathon will be held Saturday March 3 at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel, 1 W. Wacker Drive. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and there is a $35 registration fee. For additional information, visit the website at www.chicagodancemarathon.org