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Highland

September 7, 2021

Paula Campbell
Posted 9/7/21

Every September for the past thirteen years, Lou Monteleone is up to something good-his St. Baldrick Head Shaving fundraiser.

On Sunday, September 12th, from 10-6:00 p.m. his annual St. …

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Highland

September 7, 2021

Posted

Every September for the past thirteen years, Lou Monteleone is up to something good-his St. Baldrick Head Shaving fundraiser.

On Sunday, September 12th, from 10-6:00 p.m. his annual St. Baldrick’s Day is taking place at his business, the Pizza Piazza in Eldred to help children with cancer.

St. Baldrick isn’t an actual Catholic saint declared by the Pope, but a play on two concepts-shaving a head bald for charity and St. Patrick’s Day-the day head shavings for charity began in an Irish Bar in New York City.

Founded in 2000, St. Baldrick’s, is the largest volunteer powered foundation that’s solely centered on raising money for worldwide medical research projects to find a cure for pediatric cancer and fund projects to push the day the cure is drawn closer to those who really need it. St. Baldricks events raise research funds all year long, although because of the Covid pandemic, fundraising efforts of all kinds have taken a huge hit.

In 2012 President Obama declared the month of September as childhood cancer awareness month, and it is signified by the display of a gold ribbon (#Show Your Gold). Pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide for kids under the age of fourteen years old. According to Lou the Covid pandemic has badly affected the ability of medical researchers and clinical trials to continue with their projects, many of which are taking place at St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.

In the Town of Highland, Lou Monteleone dons his large green fuzzy leprechaun hat and along with his lovely wife June hosts all the events of the day.

This year because of the resurgence of the Covid variant, the St. Baldrick Foundation has mandated that everything be really scaled back to the essentials to keep everyone safe. At the publication of this article Lou wasn’t sure if the head shavings will be done onsite during the event or remotely.

The Human Line of Hope across America which is one of the highlights of the event is still scheduled. The Line happens in multiple states and honors children affected by cancer or as a memorial tribute to those who passed away.

As of now there are more than twelve states represented and more being added all the time. The Salute to Veterans and the Military will take place during the event. According to Lou the members of Team Izzy, the supporters of Isabella McGiglio who is undergoing treatment, will be at the event to cheer Izzy on.

During the scaled back St. Baldricks, there will still be several ways you can donate to the St. Baldricks Foundation. Lou has been doing small fundraisers on Facebook and has managed to raise some funds, you can also drop by the Corner or the Pizza Piazza and donate.

The St. Baldricks merchandise will be available for sale, and there will be a Bake Sale and local band Side FX will provide some great music. There will be food and drinks available. Since the inception of the St. Baldrick’s Day in the Town of Highland, Lou has raised $184,000 for the Foundation’s pediatric medical research.

Lou told me that he hopes to raise $10,000 this year when funding is so critical to maintain the work on multiple lifesaving research projects.

St. Baldricks is an important supportive event for anyone who has been touched by cancer. People come year after year to mourn and remember those lost and be among the caring community of St. Baldricks. Stop by and donate or buy a tee shirt or a St Baldrick’s bracelet ($2.00) or shave your head (minimum donation is $50.00)!

There are many ways we can all help to support the important work of the St. Baldrick Foundation. So, save the date-Sunday, September 12th from 10-6:00 p.m. See you there.

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