NEN district’s Brave the Shave event surpasses fundraising goal of $50,000 to help fight pediatric cancer

The fight against childhood cancer continued with a large dose of St. Baldrick’s spirit this past Friday, March 22, as students and fellow community members from across the Northport-East Northport school district came together to “Brave the Shave” while raising money for an important cause.  

The annual event at Northport High School continues to provide tremendous support for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation through both fundraising and spreading awareness of pediatric cancer, with last week’s efforts bringing in more than $52,000 to help fund important research and support the children and families battling the disease. In total, the district has raised over a quarter of a million dollars for the foundation since beginning to host the event.  

Earlier in the day, Northport High School students filled the commons with positive energy as they participated in the popular dunk tank fundraising challenge, allowing students to pay for the chance, with the right aim and a good throw, to have staff members (including Principal Robert Dennis) drop into a tank of water.  

Beginning at 4pm, students, staff and community members from across the district gathered in the commons once again, as students had their heads shaved in an act of solidarity with children battling cancer. Members of the NHS National Honor Society helped organize and staff the event by collecting donations, celebrating with the shavees and managing the table providing hats and merchandise. 

Local author and cancer survivor Charles Armstrong returned this year to speak about his book, “The Dog Named Beef,” which details the true story of how Charles’s dog provided comfort and helped ultimately defeat his brain cancer.  

Northport High School student Christian Sloan, also a cancer survivor, spoke to the crowd as well. Teacher aide Karen Paquet, whose son Caleb lost his battle with cancer in 2017, spoke about the importance of continuing to conduct research and provide clinical trials for pediatric cancer. “Today I feel a beautiful camaraderie with all of you,” she said. “We are here, united, in taking childhood back from cancer.”

Dr. Rina Meyer, a pediatric hematology oncologist with Stony Brook Medicine, spoke to the crowd about the hope that St. Baldrick’s brings to her patients and their families and recognized the important role that participants play in providing that hope.Just before the event, a fundraising page showed the district at just shy of its $50,000 goal, with donations being added every minute (the goal was surpassed and now stands at over $53,000 with donations still being accepted). Some participants joined the shave as individuals and spectators, while others formed teams at their schools. 

The 45 team members of the ENMS Bald Tigers brought in the district’s top donations, raising over $22,000 to date. The NMS Bald Eagles topped $10,000, and the Fifth Avenue Fightin’ Irish just over $8,700. Those still wishing to donate can do so here.