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Community raises more than $11,000 to help family during cancer battle

Submitted Photo Pictured is the Rocque family. They are, in front, children Ryan and Kaitlyn. In back are parents Vicki and Tom. The Silver Creek family is extremely grateful to all those who have supported and helped them since Vicki was diagnosed with cancer.

Special to the OBSERVER

SILVER CREEK — The community came out in droves recently to raise more than $11,000 to help a beloved former teacher aide of the Silver Creek Central School District, who is fighting cancer.

Hundreds of people packed the gymnasium for “Rocque the Mat”— a cheer and dance showcase benefit — to support Vicki Rocque, a lifelong village resident and the mother of two SCCS students. The event was hosted by the varsity cheerleaders and the Cheerleading Booster Club.

The event organizers, Tami Faraci and Shannon Aures Karcz, were astounded by a successful benefit.

“We would have been happy to raise $5,000,” Faraci said. “This is just unbelievable.”

Submitted Photos Above, Silver Creek Central School District cheerleaders wear “Rocque the Mat” event T-shirts donated by Hae Jude of Silver Creek. The shirts sported the cheer-themed phrases “Go Fight, Win” and “Vicki’s Battle is Our Battle, Cheering Her on til She Wins.” Below are some of the baskets which were raffled off at the event.

Rocque was recently diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. She is currently undergoing treatment at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. Vicki and her husband, Tom, are the parents of Kaitlyn, a senior studying veterinary science through Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES, and Ryan, a junior on the winter cheer team.

Both Rocque children were heavily involved in the fundraiser for their mother. And, despite undergoing treatment and unable to attend the event in person, Mrs. Rocque was able to experience the event via FaceTime. Kaitlyn used the app on an iPad as her mom witnessed just how many people are cheering for her speedy recovery.

“We want to thank everyone — the organizers and the entire community, everyone who attended — for helping our family,” said Kaitlyn.

“Rocque the Mat” featured a raffle with more than 75 baskets donated, concessions, a live DJ, a performance by the high school chorus, and the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s “Cut for a Cure” will be featured. Local wrestling celebrities Primal Warpath (David Coia Jr.) and The Rebel (Rick Abbey) and several of everyone’s favorite princesses — Cinderella, Elsa and Jasmine — made appearances for photo ops.

The Collage Performing Arts Center and the Elevation Dance Team of the Chadwick Academy of Dance provided much of the entertainment along with the Hot Shots cheer groups and the undefeated Black Knights varsity winter cheer squad. It is noteworthy to mention the majority of the dancers that performed did not know the Rocque family. They gave their talents and time to help a complete stranger.

Additionally, David Coia Jr. will donate all proceeds from his annual wrestling event held at Silver Creek to the Rocque family. Maximum Force Wrestling (MFW) will present the Olivia Coia Memorial Show on March 4. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and proceeds from this year’s show how will be donated to Vicki Rocque.

The event T-shirts, donated by Hae Jude of Silver Creek, sported the cheer-themed phrases “Go Fight, Win” and “Vicki’s Battle is Our Battle, Cheering her on til she wins.” They proved extremely popular and sold out by the conclusion of the event.

Teacher Janet Decker and the middle school Key Club were instrumental in facilitating the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s Cut for a Cure at the event. They also designed and printed tickets and helped run the concession stand. Students, staff and area residents lined up to get shorn for a great cause, donating their locks. Christina Stoessel, a cosmetology student, and Barbara Zelma, a cosmetology teacher, both from the Erie 2-Chautauquau-Cattaraugus BOCES Carrier Educational Center, volunteered their time to cut hair during the event.

In the end, the community gathered to cheer on someone in need, got to see some entertainment, ate some delicious food and raised money for a great cause.

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