Hundreds show support for cancer research

More than 300 supporters gathered at the St. Agnes Parish Center on Sept. 14 for the Mary Ruchalski Foundation’s second annual Heart of Gold Gala, an event dedicated to raising awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research, particularly on Long Island.

The event, organized by Carol Ruchalski, honors the memory of her daughter, Mary Ruchalski, a seventh-grader at St. Agnes Cathedral School who died after battling rhabdomyosarcoma—a rare form of pediatric cancer that affects muscle tissue.

“We knew we had to do something to bring awareness to rhabdomyosarcoma,” Ruchalski said during the gala.

Since its inception in 2018, the Mary Ruchalski Foundation has raised more than $640,000 for pediatric cancer research initiatives at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and provided support to families dealing with cancer.

Ruchalski’s commitment to the cause stems from the challenges her daughter and other families with pediatric cancer have faced, noting that there has been no new treatment for childhood cancers since 1982.

“Mary’s treatment was harsh and toxic,” she said. “Our goal is to provide any aid we can for families that have a child stricken with pediatric cancer.”

In the past year, the foundation has provided $100,000 to families with sick children. Unfortunately, none of those children survived— a sobering reminder about the critical need for pediatric cancer research funding.

Ruchalski said the idea for the Heart of Gold Gala came about a year ago, when Assemblyman Brian Curran asked her if they could do more during September for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.

“We have collaborated closely ever since,” she said, expressing gratitude for Curran’s support, along with that of Lynbrook Mayor Alan Beach. “They both provide constant support, and I couldn’t ask for more.”

For the past six years, the Mary Ruchalski Foundation has worked with local officials to host gold tree-lighting ceremonies, raising awareness for pediatric cancer research across Long Island.

The effort began in Rockville Centre and has since spread to neighboring communities including Lynbrook, Malverne, East Williston and Mineola, with each holding its own event.

Curran said he approached Ruchalski at the tree-lighting ceremony in Lynbrook last year to discuss additional efforts for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.

“I got to talking with Carol, and we decided to try to raise donations for the foundation,” Curran said. “There is such a discrepancy in funding for pediatric cancer, and we had to do something to make a change.”

According to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, only 4 percent of federal funding for cancer research is allocated to pediatric cancer.

Curran credited Ruchalski, along with the support of local elected officials, including Beach, Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray, East Rockaway Mayor Gordon J. Fox and Malverne Mayor Timothy Sullivan, for making the Heart of Gold Gala possible.

“Everyone’s been phenomenal, and there’s been so much work put into hosting this gala,” Curran said.

Beach echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the need for government support in pediatric cancer research.

“We want to ensure that pediatric cancer receives the help and funding it deserves,” Beach said.

Throughout September, the Mary Ruchalski Foundation sells gold bows and luminarias to further its fundraising efforts, along with hosting raffles and a 50/50 at the gala.

With sponsor support, the Heart of Gold Gala continues to further the foundation’s mission of funding lifesaving pediatric cancer research.