Please note that checks should be made payable to CSU Fresno Athletic Corporation when making a donation. In addition, those who wish to donate via credit card may do so by downloading the authorization form found below.

Sept. 13, 2005

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Walk-a-Thon Informational Flyer in PDF Format
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Walk-a-Thon Pledge Form in PDF Format
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FRESNO, Calif.-Junior left fielder Rachael Donaldson (Murrieta, Calif.) will sit out the 2006 Fresno State softball season after recently being diagnosed with stage 4 soft-tissue sarcoma.

Fresno State softball head coach Margie Wright will be available for comments tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at Bulldog Diamond. In addition, current softball players will be available.

With her own personal mantra of "Meet it and Beat it!," Donaldson is currently under going chemotherapy at the University of California San Francisco.

The 20-year old, who came to Fresno State as a catcher from Chaparral High School, broke out offensively last year at the plate after batting .281 while connecting for five home runs, including a grand slam at Bulldog Diamond.

Donaldson's mother, Sandy Baker, is commuting back and forth from the Temecula area to Fresno and San Francisco.

"To put into words how much we appreciate what the Bulldog family has done and those who have helped us out already is indescribable," said Baker, who is a single mother of five. "We believe in Rachael and her strength to overcome this obstacle. With the outpouring of help and the technology that is out there to treat this, we'll be able to meet it and beat it."

"I've known Rachael for a very long time and if anyone has the desire and mental toughness to beat something like this, she does," said Wright, who is in her 21st season at Fresno State. "Rachael and her family can take comfort in knowing that the softball family will be with them everyday. We'll do everything in our power to get Rachael back on the field."

A trust has been set up in Donaldson's name. Checks should be made payable to CSU Fresno Athletic Corporation. With "Rachael's Fund" written on the memo line, donations should be mailed to the address below:

ATTN: Fresno State Softball c/o Rachael's Fund
Fresno State Athletics Department
5305 N. Campus Drive, NG 27
Fresno, CA 93740

A trio of walk-a-thons has been set for next month. On Sat., Oct. 1, there will be two benefit walks in Southern California: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Esperanza High School (Anaheim) and 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Vista Murrieta High School (Murrieta). On Sat., Oct. 29, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Fresno State will host a walk-a-thon at Bulldog Diamond.

All inquiries and donations concerning Donaldson should be directed to Wright (559-278-4453 or margiew@csufresno.edu).