Rockstar Rosie: One Person Can Make a Difference
Throughout Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we’re shining a light on the amazing ways children and teens with brain tumors are making an impact in their communities. We’re inspired by all of our Stars for not only facing a brain tumor diagnosis but selflessly giving back to their communities and other kids like them. Their stories remind us daily of why we fight for better cures and care.
Star Rosie Colucci learned at a young age that “one person can make a difference in the world, and that person can be me.” Now 14, Rosie has spent the last decade making the world a better place for kids with brain tumors — all while facing multiple inoperable brain tumors of her own.
At 10 months old, Rosie was diagnosed with a genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis (NF). NF causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body, and as a result, Rosie developed multiple inoperable brain tumors. Rosie’s mom wasn’t sure she’d ever see 14, but Rosie has fought through every challenge with courage and positivity.
During a hospital stay when she was four, Rosie decided she wanted to share the gifts she was receiving with kids who didn’t have any. “I wanted to bring joy to other kids in the hospital, give them a little hope, cheer them up and make them feel better,” she said. Rosie started her own organization, “Rosie’s Toy Box,” and began collecting new toys for hospitalized kids.
Seeing the need for increased pediatric brain tumor research funding, Rosie started raising money for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation through bake sales, lemonade stands, dance marathons, walk/runs and school competitions.
Rosie and her family have participated and fundraised for the PBTF Illinois Chapter’s Ride for Kids and Starry Night Walk & 5K Run events since 2007, helping the PBTF fund lifesaving research and provide life-changing support for Star families. Participants look forward to seeing Rosie and her contagiously positive personality year after year.
While living with inoperable brain tumors and all the treatment, side effects and surgeries that come with them, Rosie has dedicated her days to helping other children. She has collected more than 60,000 toys, books, stuffed animals and games for hospitalized kids, and raised half a million dollars to help fund childhood cancer research — all before she even turned 13.
Rosie has been honored with numerous awards for her giving over the years, including the prestigious Prudential Spirit of Community Award in 2018, representing the state of Illinios in Washington DC at the awards ceremony. Rosie was one of 10 students who went on to win the National Gold Medal Award for her volunteerism. Selected from nearly 33,000 entries, Rosie was among 102 honorees (two from each state) recognized for her volunteer efforts. An unstoppable role model in the pediatric cancer community and beyond, she truly is our “Rockstar Rosie.”
What inspires Rosie to give? “I want to further research so kids like me and my friends don’t have to die. We need a cure now,” she says.
Join Rosie in finding a cure by donating to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation at curethekids.org/givenow.
