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Kids & Family

Friends, Family Start Caroline Vandemark Fundraiser

Sweet Caroline bracelets on sale to help defray medical costs.

When Tierney Conlon learned Caroline Vandemark, age 21, was diagnosed with brain cancer, she knew she had to do something.

Conlon, who graduated with Vandemark's sister Eileen from  in 2011, worked with Eileen and some other friends to have wristband bracelets produced and sold to raise funds to help defray Vandemark's medical costs.

To date, the bracelets have raised more than $1,000, and Conlon has placed an order for more.

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The bracelets can be found at , where they occupy a prominent spot on the sales counter along with a picture of Vandemark and a donation jar. 

Another friend and classmate of Eileen Vandemark, Missy Donofrio, had worked at the store and asked owner Lisa Smith if they could sell the bracelets.

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"I was happy to help," Smith said, adding all the work on ordering the bracelets and setting up the display has been done by Vandemark's friends. 

Smith said in addition to shoppers purchasing the bracelets for $5, many people have just been making monetary donations.

Eileen Vandemark and her friends selected a green band because it is Caroline Vandemark's favorite color.  The bracelets are emblazoned with the words Sweet Caroline.

Caroline Vandemark is currently undergoing treatment.

A 2009 JCHS graduate, she had planned to enter her senior year of college at East Stroudsburg University before learning of her diagnosis.

"We would like to thank everyone for buying the bracelets.  We really appreciate everyone's generosity," Eileen Vandemark said.

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