TAMPA – At just 21 years old, Raquel Caramello has transformed some of life’s hardest challenges into a story of courage, creativity and compassion.
Born with Down syndrome and diagnosed with cancer at age 12, Raquel endured two and a half years of excruciating chemotherapy treatments and the heartbreak of losing her hair. When classmates bullied her during this vulnerable time, she realized others were going through the same thing and found strength by creating inspirational notes and jewelry to give to others in the hospital. Each gift included the simple but powerful message: “You are beautiful.”
What began as a gesture of kindness has grown into Raquel Beautiful, a thriving jewelry business and movement. Today, every piece of jewelry comes packaged with an organza bag and a card that reminds the wearer: “You are beautiful.” Raquel has since donated more than $30,000 in jewelry and raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities, including the Special Olympics, Best Buddies, hospitals and Down syndrome organizations. Her message of positivity and empowerment has now been shared with hundreds of thousands of people, inspiring them to embrace their own unique beauty and strength.
During Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October, Raquel will bring her journey full circle at the star-studded Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s “Be Yourself Be Beautiful” Fashion Show. She won’t just walk the runway. Raquel will do so in a gown she designed herself, using skills she developed in Cornell University’s Fashion Design Management program. As a graduate, Raquel gained the knowledge and confidence to turn her fashion dreams into reality.
Her story has captured hearts across the country, not only as a CEO and designer, but as a self-advocate who turned pain into purpose.
“I was bullied when I lost my hair,” Raquel said. “But when I realized others were going through the same thing, I wanted to help them feel beautiful. That’s why I make jewelry, that’s why I write the notes and that’s why I give back.”
