By any measure, Shelly Rainen and Carrie Rainen are a close mother-daughter unit.
Not only did they graduate from the same law school, they also practice law together in the family firm established by Shelly’s husband, Edward Rainen. In addition to their charitable activities in the Boston Jewish community, they share another important bond: their work for St. JudeChildren’s Research Hospital.
For 22 years, Shelly has been involved in the annual TomorrowNite Gala in Boston that benefits St. Jude, and for 21 of those years, she has co-chaired the gala’s silent auction committee. Over the years, her children, Carrie and David, along with her husband, have also worked to help make the gala a success.
But for Shelly and Carrie, the silent auction is “another facet of our relationship and it’s something that Carrie and I have in common with each other that we don’t have in common with our husbands,” Shelly said. “Even though they volunteer, they are not involved in the nitty-gritty the way we are.”
The Rainen ladies are hands-on volunteers. For the month before the gala, Carrie estimates that they spend 10-20 hours per week working on the auction. But during gala week, both women work on it almost full-time.
The 24th annual TomorrowNite Gala in March raised more than $370,000, bringing the event’s overall fundraising total to more than $5.3 million. And all members of the gala’s planning committee are looking forward to the gala’s 25th anniversary next spring.
At 34, Carrie has been part of the St. Jude family for most of her life and has visited the hospital several times. She describes a moment during the hospital’s 50th anniversary celebration that – for her – symbolizes the spirit and mission of St. Jude, which treats children from around the world.
After a St. Jude supporters’ dinner, she saw three men – one Jewish, one Muslim and one Christian – “all hugging and crying because of everything they have been through and hoped for. It was a very moving experience for me.”
You too can make a difference for St. Jude kids.
Read more inspiring stories
-
St. Jude honors physicians who were key to hospital’s pandemic response
For the first time in St. Jude history, there are two recipients of the annual Amos Jacobs Award—the highest honor given to hospital employees. Read more about their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
Happy Paw-li-days: Elvis the Elf helps Puggle and Huckleberry celebrate the season
Elvis the Elf keeps a watchful eye on the holiday adventures of hospital dogs Puggle and Huckleberry.
-
A sequence of festive events: ‘Gene Gnome’ delivers holiday hijinks to St. Jude
See how Gene Gnome is bringing some holiday fun to the research community at St. Jude.
-
Thank you for supporting St. Jude in 2020
The kids and families of St. Jude are grateful for your support.
-
Pediatric Cancer Genome Project Impacts Patient Care
The Pediatric Cancer Genome Project has changed the landscape of how pediatric cancer patients are diagnosed and treated at St. Jude.
-
Life after St. Jude: Dakota’s Dreams
This young survivor's treatment was made possible in part by the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project.
-
Biorepository is ‘Library’ of the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project
The St. Jude Biorepository collects and stores biomedical samples, allowing scientists to explore the origins of pediatric cancer and develop new diagnostic tests and therapies.
-
Your Body, Your Genes, Our Future
Pediatric Cancer Genome Project explores DNA, genome sequencing, and their relationship to cancer.
-
Crystal Ball: The Legacy of the PCGP
What will be the legacy of the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project? Several scientists offer predictions.
-
100 Trillion Reasons to Love St. Jude
The Pediatric Cancer Genome Project has produced more than 100 trillion pieces of data, freely accessible by scientists around the world.
-
The Pediatric Cancer Genome Project: Era of Discovery
In 2010, St. Jude embarked on the world’s most ambitious effort to discover the origins of childhood cancer and seek new cures. Here’s how that historic project has unfolded.
-
The Spark that Ignites Innovation
The architect of the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project reflects on the initiative’s origins and legacy.
-
Cancer Predisposition: Power through the PCGP
As a result of the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project, families facing an increased risk of inherited cancers can turn to the St. Jude Cancer Predisposition Program.
-
St. Jude employees have many reasons to say thanks
In a challenging year, read why St. Jude employees are thankful this holiday season.
-
St. Jude resource group supports efforts of veterans, active duty personnel and families
Veterans are an important part of the workforce at St. Jude. Learn how the hospital’s Military Support Resource Group helps employee veterans and active duty personnel.