LONDONDERRY — Raymond Cipoletti turned 14 on Tuesday. His mom and brother Joe, 10, made a homemade "Happy Birthday" sign and, although Raymond was too sick to attend school that day, friends called and his mom was making him an Oreo cookie cake to have when his dad — also named Raymond — got home from work.
Raymond, an eighth-grader at Londonderry Middle School, was diagnosed in April with a brain tumor and is scheduled to have surgery on July 7 at Children's Hospital in Boston.
Friends and neighbors are rallying around Raymond by hosting a bowling fundraiser on Saturday, June 21, at Stadium Ten Pin in Manchester where Raymond is in a bowling league.
They are calling it "Everybody Loves Raymond," after the popular TV show.
"He hasn't been feeling well since about January," said his mom Linda Cipoletti. "He has headaches, nausea and other vague symptoms."
Because Raymond was born with congenital heart disease, Cipoletti said the doctors first attributed his symptoms to his heart and asthma conditions.
Cipoletti, a triage nurse for Elliot-on-Call, said she just felt "something's not right."
After a couple of months of doctors' appointments in Boston at Children's Hospital and locally, an MRI showed the brain lesion.
"I was overwhelmed when I heard that," Cipoletti said. "Devastated."
She herself has been out of work since March to take Raymond to his many appointments and to care for him when he's unable to go to school which is on a day-by-day basis.
Cipoletti's friend, Patti Krebs of Derry, arranged the bowling fundraiser.
"She's an angel among us," Cipoletti said. "You know, like the Alabama song?"
Cipoletti, who is also the parish nurse at St. Jude's Church in Londonderry, said it's very easy for her to help those in need, but hard for her to accept help.
But, she's been out of work since March and the cost of the MRI was $36,000 alone. Because of Raymond's heart condition, he had to have the test done with cardiologists present and under general anesthesia.
Raymond is apprehensive about his upcoming surgery, but is quick to introduce a visitor to his two dogs, Jack and Hugsley. He wishes he could go on the upcoming class field trip to Canobie Lake Park, but he would become too sick from the rides.
Meanwhile, his mom is getting a second opinion from Massachusetts General Hospital.
"I'm sure they will tell me the same thing as Children's," she said. "But he is my child and I don't want any regrets."
Want to Help?
What: Everybody Loves Raymond Bowling Fundraiser
When: Saturday, June 21 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: Stadium Ten Pin, 216 Maple St., Manchester
Cost: $10 for two strings of bowling and shoe rental. There will also be prizes and raffles.
How: Tickets available at the door or by calling 434-4904
