BY CAROLINE BUNNELL
Nearly a month after a serious bike accident left Lauren Rauseo severely injured, she has made significant improvements and is set to return home within the coming days.
“She was released from the hospital a few days ago and is currently waiting to fly home (should be within the next week or so!). She’s been in such great spirits and she’s completely herself, so it’s been such a relief to all of us to be hearing from her, especially that she’s been doing so well,” her close friend Callie Silvey said in a text.
Students are thrilled to hear about Rauseo’s recovery and look forward to welcoming her back to the United States.
“When I heard about Lauren coming home I could not have been more excited!
I was so grateful to hear that her recovery was going smoothly and she would soon be reunited at home with her family and friends,” Elise Auriemma said.
“I am so relieved and thrilled to hear that Lauren is coming home and that she is continuing to make improvements every day. Dance Club is so excited to welcome our amazing co-vice president back,” Dance Club president Madelyn Clancy said.
Rauseo was visiting Spain for the weekend with a group of friends while studying abroad for the semester in Paris. On March 17, she was forced off the road by a car then struck a wall which led to extensive injuries including a traumatic brain injury, broken clavicle, broken hip and punctured lung which led to a medically induced coma, her father Dave Rauseo told Boston 25.
Upon learning of the news, the Stonehill community quickly rallied behind Rauseo and her family in many ways. Within one week of the creation of a GoFundMe, over $179,000 was raised. One donation site currently stands at a total of $216,000 for one GoFundMe, and over $76,000 on another.
Throughout the week after the accident, her friends and classmates came together and made over 450 beaded bracelets that students could buy in support of Rauseo and her family.
Each unique bracelet spelled out different messages that represented Rauseo in a variety of ways. Some had her initials, “LNR”, others said “dance” which is one of her passions, and some included words that described her vibrant personality such as “Sunshine” and “Power”.
This event in the days leading up to Easter Break collected $2,876 which will be added to the donation total, junior Emma Duffy said.
Also available for students to sign alongside the bracelets was a large “Get well soon” card as well as paper and markers to write personalized notes in support of her recovery.
Rauseo’s friends and other Stonehill students also organized a t-shirt fundraiser, the proceeds also going to the GoFundMe. Each t-shirt cost $25 which raised over $2,000 with 120 shirts purchased. The white t-shirt designed by Hannah Macomber says, “Bring Lauren Home” in orange writing on the front, with a silhouette of a dancer in front of a sun on the back.
Her friends and family expressed gratitude for the support they have received following the accident.
“The overwhelming support that has been brought on all of us has been so heartwarming. It has really showed us how much love we share for this amazing human. It has made me tear up at the thought of how happy she will be when she sees how many people have shown their support for her,” Houk said.
“On behalf of my friends and I we just want to thank everyone and being so kind for supporting our best friend, it means the world to us,” Houk said.