BUFFALO, NY - At the age of 5, Rosie Sperduti developed a passion for playing the drums.
She's participated in battle of the band competitions and now she's in a battle for life.
Sperduti, 55, was diagnosed in July with stage 4 lung cancer. "It threw us all for a loop," she told 2 On Your Side's Claudine Ewing.
Sperduti has been playing drums with bands for years. The Orchard Park native is a retired parole and corrections officer, but never retired from her love of music. Recently, she's been a drummer for the Clark Rabbitt Band.
Jay Kuzara is also a local drummer. He's met Rosie on the local music scene. When he saw the story about Rosie's health battle, he was moved to help. "I had my kids come and re-watch the video on-line and we all decided we needed to raise money for them, especially because she has kids."
It wasn't long ago when Jay's wife Patty was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She passed away last December.
Jay was hoping to raise $1,000 by Saturday for Rosie. He started a special on-line fundraiser called #TEAMPATTY Fights For Rosie on You Caring.com.
Thanks to the overwhelming support of WGRZ viewers, that goal was reached by Friday night.
Supporters are stopping by her home offering support.
Sperduti is the mother of two boys. Her youngest son, Devon, received national attention because of his condition called Hyper IGE Syndrome. He has life threatening allergies. He has a V-Go robot at home. It allows him to learn remotely from home with his class at Winchester Elementary.
The Clark Rabbitt Band is putting the finishing touches on a new CD that has Rosie on drums.
Clark Rabbitt says the CD will be called Rosie. "It's what Rosie wants to leave from her life, it's part of her, something we all did together. It's very, very important. I promised her I'd finish it."
No diagnosis is stopping Rosie from grooving. She's overwhelmed by the support and as far as the CD, she admits, "it could be my last mark in music, but do I think it's going to be? No, because something stronger is going to pull me from this."
Promoter Richard Radice says Rosie is "amazing. Amazing people do amazing thnigs and Rosie is just that," he said.
There's a fundraiser, Rockin' for Rosie, Saturday, November 15, 2:00-8:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus on South Park Ave. in Lackawanna. The cost is $25.
Live music, auctions, food and drinks will be available. The proceeds will help with Rosie's medical needs and her family.
