Victoria's Story
The Victoria Rose Fund nonprofit originated in 2012 by Victoria’s brother Mike. Now President, Victoria Rose Marotta, was 21 years old when she was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma (a childhood cancerous tumor) Brain Cancerwhich also led to Spinal Cancer during the resection surgery. In September 2011 Victoria was working at a local hardware store in Aston, PA. She got into work that morning and was feeling extremely nauseous and dizzy. Later in the day she had an excruciating pain in the back of her head that was described as a “samurai sword digging in and out continuously.” Sent home from work she began throwing up every hour on the hour accompanied with the horrible pain in the back of her head throughout the night; that was a definite sign that something was wrong.
The next day she went to her family physician, barely able to walk, and was directly sent to Riddle Memorial Hospital. Once arrived the team did a CATSCAN where they found a mass in the back of her head. She was then airlifted to Jefferson University Hospital where she had a 12-hour brain surgery. After the removal of the mass (which was a malignant tumor), her and her family were told that Victoria was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma Brain Cancer and would need to start treatment immediately.
Her treatment plan consisted of numerous surgeries, treatments, and procedures; some major processes included Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Proton Therapy (a type of cell-targeting radiation), Blood Transfusions, Spinal taps, Shunt Placement and Removal, Ovary adjustment, and multiple Brain surgeries She received these treatments at Jefferson University Hospital, University of Pennsylvania (Penn Medicine), and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Victoria was told from several of her doctors that they do not recommend going back to college so soon for it would be too much to handle. Victoria was previously enrolled at Temple University, Fox School of Business and was forced to receive a medical withdraw from the University. If you know Victoria, you know how strong willed she is. Defying the odds at age 22, she transferred to Penn State Brandywine. She started out taking only 1-2 classes a semester. Back and forth from the hospital to classes wasn’t easy but the professors and students had helped Victoria feel more like herself again and that was incredibly rewarding for her.
About a year later, with hard work, strong support from her family and friends, she pushed herself to a regular college semester schedule. Graduating in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Penn State was one of the best days of her life. ONE of…....In September 2016, after a routine checkup, her Oncologist at CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) gave her the most amazing news of all; that she was officially a brain and spinal cancer survivor. (5 years in remission at the time.)
She is currently in remission and her and her family are beyond grateful for this blessing. When the Victoria Rose Fund originated in 2012, her brother had a great idea to put a walk together at Rose Tree Park for his sisters’ medical bills. It was very successful and helped their family so much. In 2013 Victoria and her family were so overwhelmed by the love and support that they received over the years from their community- including family, friends, and complete strangers. With the wonderful blessings that they received they decided it was their time to give back.
Taking over the nonprofit VRF (Victoria Rose Fund) as the official President in 2013, when she started feeling a bit better, she wanted to fulfill a promise she had given to herself while praying to God at an overnight at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She promised herself if she was able to become in remission and able to function she would strive to help other local families and individuals that went through similar cancer journeys as her and her family did.
With Victoria’s favorite concept of “paying it forward” they came up with the idea of honoring another individual that is going through a similar situation that the Marotta’s family had been through. They knew that by giving hope, support, and some financial relief to these families that they could potentially change their lives. Through fundraising they put together an beef & beer at a local restaurant, Aston Barnaby’s of America. All proceeds go directly to the local family/individual that is suffering financially, physically, and mentally from cancer.
As their mission expanded, along with their annual Fall benefit, they act as a support system for others suffering from this disease (especially children- as that specific cause is very close to Victoria’s heart as she accomplished most of my treatments at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia). Throughout the year they will organize small fundraising events (whether virtual or in person), support like causes and send or deliver care packages that include religious cards, relics, and other inspirational items from their nonprofit donations; ultimately to fulfill their mission and make sure that NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE!
Their most recent event, the 11th Annual VRF Benefit was for a young brave 5-year-old girl, Kinsley, who has fighting high risk B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Victoria describes that "there is nothing like seeing a smile on a mother's (or loved ones) face when giving the benefit proceeds them. It literally makes my life to see them happy even if it’s for the moment." She also described that the one year at a previous event a family member of the honoree came up to her and said "My family and I appreciate all that your organization has done for raising funds for our family but I want to let you know it's not just about the money it’s the support from all the people in this room; it truly lifted our spirits to get through this difficult time, thank you." Victoria describes these moments as 'indescribable' and truly makes her feel whole that shes (with the help of the entire V.R.F. community) able to give back and "pay it forward" like she promised herself years ago in that hospital bed.
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