Homewood Dealership Makes Family's Year with Free Car

HOMEWOOD, IL — Usually it's the parents trying to make their child's Christmas wish come true. But things were a little different this year in the Colucci house.

Twelve-year-old Rosie wanted so badly to see her mom JoAnne behind the wheel of a more reliable car—one that could safely shuttle them to the hospital should the pre-teen brain cancer warrior experience a medical emergency. It was a long shot, but she set out to make it happen.

"You might not think a car is important to me, but it is," Rosie said in her entry for the 2016 Homewood Chevy Cares contest, an online voting competition that rewards the winner with, you guessed it: a brand new ride.

The congenial "Rosie Rose" was already somewhat of a local celebrity. Diagnosed with brain cancer at just 3 years old, she and her family have been open about her battle. Since she was a toddler, she has endured hundreds of hospital appointments and tests, 12 brain surgeries chemotherapy, hair loss, emergency room visits and MRIs. Rosie has neurofibromatosis, a condition that causes causes tumors to form in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Within weeks of her diagnosis, doctors found an inoperable brain tumor, and others have continued to form. She recently underwent four surgeries and spent 21 days hospitalized from late October to December.

In other words, they really needed to catch a break.

But those who know and love Rosie weren't leaving things to chance. She was going to win that car for her mom, and that was that. Thousands rallied behind the family, casting thousands and thousands of votes online. They voted from New Zealand, Germany, Hawaii, Scotland. Rosie's plea flooded screens and touched hearts worldwide. And it worked.

On December 24, Rosie, JoAnne, and Rosie's 16-year-old sister Bella popped open the door of their 2017 Chevy Sonic. Dealership owner Steve Phillipos hugged the family and celebrated alongside them.

"It's so cool that so many people know and care about us," Rosie said. "It's such a blessing."

JoAnne Colucci was in awe as she held the keys to the car.

"It's been so amazing to watch it unfold," she said. "One person chooses to vote, it gets passed around. It's amazing to see the connections. It's been so heartwarming."

Single mom JoAnne is relieved to have a car that can get Rosie to the hospital in a hurry—if, for instance, there are problems with the shunt in her brain used to drain fluid, a symptom of the life-threatening hydrocephalus.

"Having that relief, stress lifted off my shoulders is amazing," JoAnne told Patch.

Tumors continue to form inside Rosie, with four currently in her brain and 40 others diagnosed as benign throughout her body. Doctors have also spotted a recent recurrence of an ominous tumor in the middle of her brain, the portion that controls body temperature, hunger and other vital functions. Rosie stays positive and pours herself into fundraising efforts, including Rosie's Toybox, a charity that collects new toys for hospitalized children.

Her work has not gone unnoticed, as the City Limits HOG Palatine chapter would tell anyone. Rosie has ridden with the motorcycle club at "Ride for Kids," a fundraiser for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

"We got to meet her, and we just fell in love with her," said Director Keith St. Onge.

The group raised $1,000 to throw the family a Christmas party, complete with gifts. They made Rosie an honorary member and handed her a vest stitched with "Rock Star Rosie," a patch with a rose, and a dolphin. The family will soon vacation in Florida for eight days, a trip bestowed upon them by the Be a Difference organization.

The positive turn of events almost feels unreal, JoAnne said.

"It's amazing to see the amount of people who got behind us ... it was crazy," she said. "This was about people coming together and making a difference.

"It wasn't us who won the car. It was everyone around the world who voted.

"And we're so grateful."

Photos and Video by Lauren Traut