Peters Girls Jump Into Action to Help Raise Money For Huntington’s Disease Awareness

Mara Rayburg and Sarah Bisignani aren’t your ordinary teens.   

Their youth lacrosse coach Katy Phillips, had just lost her mom, Marian Hoag Phillips, formerly of Mt Lebanon, to Huntington’s Disease—and the 14-year-old Peters Township girls leaped into action.

Deeply saddened by the news, Rayburg thought, “What can I do to help?”  

She encouraged her teammates to wear their Robert Morris University LAX tournament T-shirts to school the next day as a tribute to the woman.  

But that simple gesture of remembrance wasn’t enough for Rayburg—so she discussed it with Bisignani and decided to take action.

Together, they came up with the idea of selling a bracelet to raise awareness about the debilitating disease and to raise money to help find a cure.  

“I know that many people suffer from diseases but not all of them are noticed,” Bisignani said.  “For someone that I care for, Katy, I wanted her to know that not only do I care about her teaching me lacrosse, I care about her too and wanted to show everyone what two 14-year-olds were capable of.”

The idea took off when Rayburg began searching the Internet for bracelet samples. 

She discovered a great one: the paracord survival bracelet. 

Never heard of paracord? 

Although lightweight, paracord can withstand 550 pounds of pressure, permitting it to be utilized in a variety of ways. 

The girls agreed that selling paracord survival bracelets would be perfect.  

Soon after, Rayburg learned how to make the bracelets by watching a how-to video on youtube.  

Anxious to put their plan into action, they advertised by posting a picture on Instagram and before the knew it, orders were rolling in from classmates and teammates.  

“My goal in doing this was to raise money and awareness for this terrible disease,” Rayburg said, “And to give back to someone who has given so much to me and the world of lacrosse.”

The girls also involved other friends from the their travel sports teams and members of Peters Youth Lacrosse. 

“It is my hope the paracord survival bracelets, which represent survival, strength and durability, can raise sufficient funds to bring these same qualities to the lives of so many who are affected by this terrible disease, ” said Mara’s mom Renee Rayburg.

So far, the girls have raised more than $850 from selling the bracelets, which cost $5 each.

Editor's Note: Want to support the cause? Email mararayburg@yahoo.com to place an order! You can also visit the website here www.hdparacord.webs.com.