Lemont Resident Raises $52,000 in Memory of Husband and Daughter

Lemont Resident, Rachael Rayna hosted the second annual “Fore” Ever Loved Golf Outing held on August 8, 2014. Friends and family, along with Lemont residents and businesses came out to show their support for Reyna and the charities that have a special meaning to her, raising $52,000, far surpassing what she raised at the inaugural fundraiser last year.

In 2012, Reyna lost both her daughter, Ava, and husband, Carlos, within two months of each other. Reyna’s daughter, Ava, at 3 1/2 years old never woke up from her night’s sleep. Ava suffered from seizures and had been diagnosed with Epilepsy. Just over two months after losing Ava, Reyna’s husband, Carlos, lost his seven and a half year battle to Carcinoid Cancer.

This year’s “Fore” Ever Loved Fundraiser was held at Ruffled Feathers Golf Course in Lemont, which included a golf outing and dinner, along with silent auction and raffle prizes. The event, which was sold out months in advance, was a success, hosting 128 golfers and 230 supporters that attended the dinner.

The $52,000 raised at this year’s event will continue to support the two charities close to Reyna’s heart, the Danny Did Foundation and the Carcinoid Caner Awareness Network (CCAN). The Danny Did Foundation is an organization focused on seizure-related epilepsy deaths in children. The funds will go towards families who need assistance in purchasing seizure detection and seizure prediction devices that may assist in preventing deaths caused by seizures. A portion of the money will also fund for two families to attend the Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland this November. Additionally, a portion of the money will go to CCAN, a charity whose mission is to intensify awareness of Neuroendocrine Tumors & Carcinoid Cancer in the medical community and general public around the world.

“I am thrilled by the support from everyone that attended this year’s event. Our army of volunteers ensured the event ran smoothly, and we had more participation than ever before,” said Reyna. “I’m grateful that we not only raised an incredible amount of money for both of these charities but that we have raised awareness to both of these sicknesses.”

For more information, you can like “Fore” Ever Loved on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Forever-Loved/166263936896065?ref=hl. The Facebook page helps to keep supporters informed on when and how funds are distributed.