Thursday, October 1, 2026
Rockville Centre lit its village tree gold to mark the beginning of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month and honor the memory of Mary Ruchalski.
The Sept. 2 ceremony in front of Village Hall was organized by the Mary Ruchalski Foundation, a Rockville Centre nonprofit that raises money for pediatric cancer research and helps families with children undergoing cancer treatment.
Mary died of rhabdomyosarcoma in 2018, two days before her 13th birthday. The foundation was established in her memory and has made pediatric cancer awareness a community focus through its Play4Mary events, gold tree lighting, lantern and bow campaigns and other fundraisers.
Mary was a student at St. Agnes Cathedral School and was active in lacrosse, soccer and swimming.
During the ceremony, Mary’s mother, Carol Ruchalski, spoke about the need for greater investment in pediatric cancer research and the challenges facing children and families.
“Pediatric cancer is the number one disease related cause of death in children in the U.S.,” Ruchalski said. “Roughly 1 in 5 children diagnosed with cancer will not survive.”
She noted that only six drugs have been specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration for pediatric cancer in the last 40 years and said many patients receive drugs developed decades ago that are not tailored to children’s biology.
“I remember Mary’s doctor telling me they were going to throw the kitchen sink at her, hoping one drug would make a difference. And me being sick to my stomach that this is a crap shoot,” she said.
Ruchalski also spoke about limited federal funding for pediatric cancer, which includes more than 200 subtypes.
“And that is why I am here before you,” she said. “I am not OK with this. I am not OK that Mary is not going off to college with her brother John. I am not OK that Mary is not here watching her nephews and niece grow. I’m going to work for the rest of my life to make a change…to be Mary’s voice.”
Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray also spoke. Murray lost his niece, Kimiko “Kimi” Schroder, to pediatric cancer in 2019 at age 12.
Father Michael Duffy of St. Agnes Cathedral addressed the crowd and announced that two anonymous donors have each pledged $25,000 to have a custom tabernacle made for eucharist adoration in memory of Mary.
The foundation has expanded its fundraising and research efforts. In 2025, it awarded $105,000 in pediatric cancer research grants and provided financial assistance to families affected by the disease.
Ruchalski said the foundation has provided close to $1 million in research grants to institutions including Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and MSK Kids. It has provided a quarter-million dollars in direct financial support to more than 50 families.
“Now if that is not a sign from Mary, I don’t know what is,” Ruchalski said.
One of this year’s Play4Mary events will have a connection to Mary. St. John’s University women’s soccer player Julie Bivona played softball with Mary on Rockville Centre’s Williamsport championship team in 2016. Bivona will be part of the St. John’s team when it hosts Penn at Cox Family Field at Belson Stadium on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
The foundation will also hold its annual Light the Way and Go Gold campaign Sept. 25 and 26. Residents can purchase $5 gold lanterns and display them on curbs, windows or porches.
Ruchalski closed by thanking the community for its support.
“I know my Mary and every single young warrior who is with her is saying, ‘Keep at it. Be our voices. Keep doing it. Be the change,’” she said.
