Beloved Woman Battling Cancer Has No Insurance, Friends Unite

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Friends are coming together to help a local woman fighting cancer without medical insurance.

"Our sister, aunt, friend, and 'Beer Wench' Raini, needs our help," a GoFundMe page, "Raini's Medical Recovery Fund," says. The page has raised $4,520 of its $25,000 goal to help Raini Caravella so far.

"After a startling trip to the emergency room, we've learned Raini is facing a serious health challenge, finding tumors in her ovaries. Unfortunately, being uninsured at the time, the bill for her trip to the ER alone has us stunned — and this is only the beginning. Now starts the process of seeing doctors and oncologists. Surgery and recovery will have her out of work all summer," the page said. "Please help Raini get through this tough time, recover, and hopefully return to normal life by fall."

Caravella is a familiar face at Legends in New Suffolk, where she has worked for years, friend say.

A "night of laughs fundraiser" is also planned by Gateway Comedy and the Crazy Fork, to be held at the Crazy Fork on Thursday, June 29, at 8 p.m. and featuring Carie Karavas and Jenni Griffin. Tickets can be purchased for $20 in advance by clicking here, or cost $30 at the door.

Danielle Grzegorczyk, owner of the Crazy Fork in Mattituck, said the community wants to help. "Raini is just an all around great women who I have know for a really long time."