Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: News

Photo courtesy of: www.tamu.edu Tacey Raulerson has battled cancer since she was an infant.

Tacey Raulerson experienced more hardship by the time she was 1 year old than many experience in their first 20 years. When she was just a few months old, Tacey developed a form of cancer known as bilateral retinoblastoma, and a few months later her left eye had to be taken out.

Six years later, Tacey was getting ready to start the first grade when she found out that after several unsuccessful bouts of chemotherapy, she would have to have her right eye removed as well.

Texas A&M head soccer coach G Guerrieri heard about Tacey's story through his wife, who knows Tacey's parents.

Although Tacey's condition is still critical, Guerrieri said she is still fighting.

"She's battling, and she'll continue to," Guerrieri said. "The thing about Tacey is she always seems to have a smile on her face. She has this natural energy that lights up the room she's in."

Proceeds from the Coach G Charity Bash will help pay for Tacey's medical bills. For the price of a ticket, students are given a ticket to the women's basketball game against Kansas, and admission to a number of other events. Athletes from a number of sports will sign autographs and the Singing Cadets will put on a special performance.

Raffle tickets will be sold for $25 with prizes including an opportunity to be a guest coach at a football game next year, a round of golf with A&M's only Heisman Trophy winner, John David Crow, or a $1,000 voucher to travel anywhere in the world.

"The nice thing about this event is that we understand not everyone can make it, but (they) can still be involved," said Amy Sckittone, secretary of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). "Raffle tickets can be purchased online through PayPal,"

The PRSSA has gotten involved in the fundraiser by sending e-mails and telling others of the event by word of mouth. Although the organization is not directly working with Guerrieri, they offered to help inform the general public about the Charity Bash.

Also present at the fundraiser will be Tacey, who attended last week's A&M-OU game and has a passion for the basketball teams.

"I think it would take an awful lot of people, or an awful lot of things to occur, to keep Tacey away from this event," Guerrieri said with a smile on his face.

Some students are eager to participate.

"As the student body, we have the chance to help out this girl said Samantha Bruce, a freshman nutrition major, It's rewarding to be a part of something that's greater than one's self."

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