The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for childhood, cancer research, will host one of its signature head-shaving events at Sachem High School East on Monday, March 18, 2013 , where more than 115 will shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer and raise money to Conquer Childhood Cancers!
Why all the shaved heads? Worldwide a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes, and one in five children diagnosed in the U.S. will not survive. With only 4 percent of all federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer research, St. Baldrick’s Foundation volunteers, supporters and donors are needed to continue the battle against this devastating disease.
This is the fourth year that Sachem HS East is involved in St. Baldrick’s Day. Over the past three years Sachem East has raised over $90,000. This year Sequoya Middle School will bring at least 30 shavees to Sachem East. Over the past five years they have earned a great deal of money for St. Baldrick’s. This year is a very special year since we have three Honorees. Our first honoree is Megan G. She is a Sachem East HS student who is a Melanoma survivor. Our next two honorees, Nicole I. and Kristine C. graduated together from Sachem East and have both been recently diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Both are currently in treatment. All three have offered to help our cause of raising funds for childhood cancer research. All are hoping that childhood cancer becomes a disease of the past. Please check out our St. Baldrick’s site to see the stories of our honorees and other participants.
About the St. Baldrick’s Foundation
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $101 million to support lifesaving research, making the Foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, which may be a child’s best hope for a cure. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.
As of Thursday morning, Sachem East and Sequoya has raised more than $17,000 towards its goal of $25,000 for this year’s St. Baldrick’s event being held on Monday, March 18.
This is a collective effort this year between Sequoya and Sachem East and other schools in the district.
This year there are several Sachem alumni fighting cancer. Two of the honorees (Nicole I. and Kristine C.) were diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and are currently in treatment.
Megan G. is a Melanoma survivor and a Sachem East senior.
Carol Todaro has graciously decided that if she is able to raise over $2,000 she will once again get her head shaved in support of our honorees.
Coach Mark Wojciehowski will get his head and beard shaved if his team raises over $7,400.
Team Kristine is out in front. Sami Berrada (pictured above) has shaved part of his head as part of his fundraising efforts.
CLICK HERE if you wish to donate.
Student statement … Megan G., a current Sachem East student: My name is Megan Garofalo, I am a senior at Sachem High School East and I am also a cancer survivor. When I was fifteen years old I went to the dermatologist for a mole that I found on my back. The mole was removed, tested, and came back as malignant melanoma: the most deadly form of skin cancer. I immediately visited an oncologist, went through several different tests, and underwent major surgery. I have had several minor surgeries since then as precaution and I have been cancer free for three years now. The past three years of my life have been quite the journey and a definite struggle. I look at it as a learning experience however and try to see my experience with cancer in a more positive light. It is my belief that everything happens for a reason and the reason why I was diagnosed with cancer was to inspire me to inspire others to do more to help those affected by the disease. My experience with cancer has driven me to set goals for myself in the future. These goals include spreading melanoma awareness and raising money for pediatric cancer which is why I am supporting St. Baldrick’s Day!