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Shave for a cure St. Baldrick's benefits young cancer victims
Fredericksburg residents go bald to benefit child cancer research
Date published: 3/18/2006
By NATASHA ALTAMIRANO Many Fredericksburg-area residents donned green shirts and shamrock pins for St. Patrick's Day yesterday, while others sported bald heads for another event--St. Baldrick's Day. Ten males of varying ages had their heads shaved at the Fredericksburg Rescue Squad on William Street yesterday for the international St. Baldrick's fundraiser for child cancer research. Participants, or "shavees," collected monetary pledges that will be donated to CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Children's Oncology Group. When the event began yesterday afternoon, participants already had raised about $3,485--exceeding the event's $2,000 goal, said organizer Cameron John, a James Monroe High School senior and son of Fredericksburg City Councilwoman Kerry Devine. That number doesn't include additional pledges and new participants, said John, who led pledges with about $1,535. Since its inception in 2000, St. Baldrick's has raised more than $12 million to help children with cancer. The event was co-founded by Devine's brother-in-law, John Bender of New York. The fundraiser takes place across the United States and several countries. Paddy's Steakhouse & Pub in Stafford County hosted an event last night, and another one is scheduled at the Colonial Beach Moose Lodge today at 5 p.m. Fredericksburg resident Paul Rabatin decided to have his head shaved yesterday because his 9-year-old nephew was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer common among children. "Seeing him go through it, I can't imagine what these children have gone through, and as a parent, I can't imagine what my sister-in-law and brother-in-law went through," said Rabatin, who raised about $1,110. He added with a laugh, "I just hope people will notice I got shaved because I don't have much hair." Rabatin was the first to have his head shaved by Pat Pelletier, owner of Pelletiers Barber Shop on Prince Edward Street. "You look good," Rabatin's wife, Beth, said to him. "You don't see me sitting in that chair." Cameron John is a junior member at the rescue squad, and he thought the station would be a good place to host the event. Fredericksburg Rescue Squad Capt. Adam Covington was happy to accommodate them. "It ties into why we do the rescue squad anyway--to help people," he said. Covington also got his head shaved, although there wasn't much to take from his buzz cut. "Oh no--my hair!" he said sarcastically as Pelletier began shaving. After the barber finished the eighth and last registered shavee, 8-year-old Andrew LaMarca decided he wanted to participate. With the help of this mother, Fredericksburg Jaycees President Amy LaMarca, Andrew managed to collect about $150 from the crowd. "I'm doing it next year, too," he said afterward. For more information or to make a donation, visit stbaldricks.org or call 540/809-9764. To reach NATASHA ALTAMIRANO:
Date published: 3/18/2006
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