Rachael VanWyckhouse Harris was a well-known figure at Waldwick High School. She played varsity basketball, soccer, and baseball all four of her years there. On a recent Saturday afternoon, hundreds of people gathered at Waldwick High School to remember Rachael…and to raise money for a foundation in her memory.
Rachael was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in 2007, at the age of 26. She survived the disease for six years. In 2013, when Rachael was 32, the disease took her life.
After Rachael died, a friend of the family started Rachael Forever. The group aims to celebrate Rachael’s life and continue her positive impact on the world. It offers a scholarship fund for Waldwick High seniors, supports Waldwick athletics, and hopes to make a difference to oncology (chemotherapy) patients by supporting a program that helps women with breast cancer document their journey through photography.
Rachael’s mother recalls that Rachael was upset to lose her hair to chemotherapy, but she bounced back quickly. She continued to work as vice president of an NYC investment bank throughout the years of her treatment, which included 3 brain surgeries with New Jersey neurosurgeon Dr. Anthony D’Ambrosio, the Sub-specialty Director of Neurosurgery and Co-Director of Gamma Knife Center at Valley Hospital.
But Rachael also made it her business to continue to live vibrantly.
“[Dr. D’Ambrosio] always said that Rachael’s drive, desire, and positive attitude just inspired him,” recalls her mom.
She remembers their first visit with the brain surgeon. “[He] comes in and pulls chairs over and we thought he was just an assistant. Then he goes and sits behind the desk…[Rachael and Dr. D’Ambrosio] started chatting and they had an immediate rapport.”
Dr. D’Ambrosio was among the throng at the Rachael Forever benefit at Waldwick this March. With the other attendees, he listened to music, participated in raffles, and watched some intense games of alumni-versus-varsity basketball.
In the intermission between games, Dr. D’Ambrosio also gave an eloquent tribute to Rachael. He described her fortitude, her love for life, and her love for those around her. He encouraged his listeners to add that “Rachael Factor” to their own lives.
Last year, the Rachael Forever benefit raised enough to award $3,000 scholarships to four Waldwick High seniors. It also bought a new electronic scoreboard table for the Waldwick High gym.
This year, the benefit day pulled in $15,000, and Waldwick High seniors once again had the chance to apply for Rachael Forever scholarships–$4,000 each to two seniors.
Applicants to the Rachael Forever scholarship (Waldwick High seniors only) have to write an essay. The essay prompt encourages thought about personal reaction to challenging circumstances:
“Describe a challenge you experienced in your life and how a positive attitude and exceptional resiliency towards the situation allowed you to persevere.”
For the applicants–high school seniors on the cusp of adulthood–thinking deeply about this question may have a value close to that of the scholarship itself.
And for everyone else who truly considers the question: congratulations on adding some “Rachael Factor” to your own life.
To learn more about Rachael Forever or to make a donation, visit the group’s Facebook page here.
To learn more about Dr. D’Ambrosio, visit his bio page here.
Image used with permission.
