RAY ROCCHI - MORTON GROVE, ILLINOIS
Ray Rocchi (pronounced 'Rocky') grew up in a Chicago suburb called Morton Grove. His family has always played an important part in his life. Ray has two fantastic sisters and his parents celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in 2008.
Baseball was Ray's life. His childhood dream was to play for the Cubs. He excelled at every level he competed in. He was the captain of his high school team. He succeeded at the college level and all seemed to be heading in the right direction until he was 23. While trying to earn his spot in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays farm system, he tore his rotator cuff in his throwing arm for the second time in five years. Determined to not let his dream die, Ray worked hard to rehab his shoulder. Ray's agent had lined up a try out for Ray with a team in Australia in the fall (their spring) of 1998. However, before he had a chance to try-out, Ray was having health problems. He was diagnosed with an aortic insufficiency and had emergency open heart surgery. Doctors replaced his aortic valve with a titanium St. Jude's artificial valve. At 24, his dream died.
In 2002, Ray found himself being rushed to the hospital again. For two days Ray had a 105.2 degree fever, numbness in both arms, and embolisms all over his body and the doctors didn't know why. Ray was finally diagnosed with endocarditis; a serious diagnosis, especially due to his previous health history. Ray spent two weeks in the hospital and six more weeks out of work. Not to be deterred, Ray worked hard to get back to where he was. However, by this time, doubt started to creep in about his ability to stay healthy with some friends and co-workers. Many recommended that maybe he should take an "office job" where he can take it easy. Ray refused. Along with going against people wishes of relaxing a little more, Ray decided to make himself even busier by getting into acting.
In 2003 Ray found himself being rushed to the hospital again. While warming up for a softball game Ray had a heart attack. Blood clots were the cause. Home again after an 8-day stay, and again out of work while recovering, Ray decided he needed to get more aggressive in pursuing his dreams! After two years of constant auditions, with little success, Ray decided to write a screen play. He planned on acting in it and directing it. Once again, people doubted he could do such a thing. Most people thought it was just a pipe dream. And once again, Ray used his naysayers for inspiration and found a co-director/camera man to help. In 18 months, Ray's casted, acted, directed and produced his film. To this day, he still takes great pride in the hard work and dedication by everyone who was a part of it.
Today, Ray still hasn't slowed down. Disregarding those who thought he should stop being so active, Ray continues to be just that, active. He is the club manager of a corporate fitness center where he does personal training, teaches spin class, plays basketball, runs and works out. He also stays active by participating in local softball and baseball leagues, bowling leagues, running 5ks, and anything else he can find.
And he is still dreaming for the stars, both literally and figuratively. Ray is still dedicated to his acting career, where he continues to try to "make it big." He continues to work hard in hopes of landing that big role. Ray also has a book manuscript that he is shopping around about one of his fraternity brothers who saved his life. Ray was in a downward freefall in college. He was in jeopardy of flunking out. Ray was alienating himself from friends and family. He hated his life and everyone in it. He met Kyle, a fraternity brother and was determined to take him down too. However, Kyle would not allow it and challenged Ray's character for months, until he was finally able to crack him. Kyle broke Ray down and then built him back up. After only 6-months of friendship, Ray and Kyle became great friends. However, that all changed one night. Ray received a phone call one Sunday morning saying Kyle had died in a car crash, only hours after Ray was the last one to see him. Once again Ray would have to push on, overcome, and achieve all on his own.
PERSONAL NOTE FROM RAY ROCCHI:
I am in full support of Dream for the Stars because if it wasn't for my strong family bond and some great friends to see me through the hard times, I never would have made it. I also never would have had the support to battle back from all my health issues and the confidence to try to achieve things that I was told I could never do. Unfortunately, not everyone has a safe place for support, such as family. Child abuse in all forms, whether verbal or physical, can have grave consequences on a child. The severity of child abuse was first brought to my attention in 1998. One of my favorite players was Mark McGwire. During his record setting season in 1998, McGwire championed the cause of preventing child abuse and I thought, "How great is that. Here is a guy making millions of dollars who can do just about anything he wants, and he chooses to raise awareness of child abuse." I wanted to get involved but never knew how and never really thought I could make a difference. Ten years later, when Barbara told me about her bike ride to raise awareness for child abuse, I KNEW I had to participate. Child abuse can negatively impact a child's life for as long as that child lives; the emotional fear that a child lives with while being abused by a classmate or family member is one that no child should ever have to experience. Thanks to Barbara, I hope this ride raises the awareness that child abuse is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. If on this bike ride I can save just one child from the pain and suffering of child abuse, it is well worth it.
Sincerely, Ray
