Caring friends, family, and members of the Branford High School (BHS) community are rallying to seek support to assist BHS special education teacher Michelle Raszcewski during her cancer journey. Organizers have set up a GoFundMe page to help defray expenses facing this young mom of two who’s husband is currently deployed with the military.

BHS assistant principal Stephanie Byrd and several more of Raszcewski’s BHS colleagues have organized the online fundraiser, “Support Michelle's Journey to Recovery and Hope” which can be located at gofundme.com

The goal is to raise at least $15,000 to assist Raszcewski and her family. Organizers of the effort reached out to Zip06/The Sound to help amplify their call for assistance, together with the following heartfelt message, which is shared at the fundraising page:

“Michelle Raszcewski is a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, sister, teacher and friend. In early May of 2024, she was preparing for a fantastic summer with her husband, John, and her two beautiful children - Liv who would enter 4th grade and JD who would enter kindergarten in the fall. The family was preparing for John’s deployment, which would not end until February of 2025. Michelle, a Special Education teacher at Branford High School, was gearing up to teach summer school.

Then, on May 7, her world would change forever. She was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Michelle just completed 20 weeks of intense chemotherapy treatment. The resilience and strength she has shown is amazing. Michelle approaches each challenge with positivity and a smile. She has a wonderful family and team of friends and colleagues rallying around her.

Michelle is now preparing for a double mastectomy that will require her to miss work for a minimum of 6 weeks. Michelle’s financial burden is great and we, her friends, want nothing more than to support her during this difficult time. Please consider making a donation to help Michelle get through the next few months where she can focus on herself, her health, her children, and her family, without having to worry so much about how she will make ends meet.

Any donation is appreciated and if you cannot help, keep Michelle in your thoughts.“