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Highland

Paula Campbell
Posted 8/30/22

August 29 -I was speaking with Local businessman and philanthropist Lou Monteleone, and I want to remind everyone that the St Baldricks Foundation Day to fight pediatric cancer will be happening on …

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Highland

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August 29 -I was speaking with Local businessman and philanthropist Lou Monteleone, and I want to remind everyone that the St Baldricks Foundation Day to fight pediatric cancer will be happening on Sunday, September 11th. from noon until 6p.m at the Pizza Piazza in Eldred.

 The fact is there is no actual Saint Baldrick declared by a Catholic Pope, but it is a play on two concepts-shaving a head bald for charity and St Patrick’s Day. 

Founded in 2000, St. Baldrick’s Foundation is the largest volunteer powered organization that is 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. 

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.

This year marks Lou’s 17th anniversary of sponsoring the St Baldricks event in the Town of Highland and the event has raised over $186,000 for cancer research over the years. 

St Baldricks Foundation raise research funds all year long although because of the Covid pandemic and economic inflation it has unfortunately caused fundraising efforts of all kinds to take a huge negative hit. 

Lou’s upcoming St Baldrick’s Day will have many of the most popular features, the live music will be provided by Side F/X band and there will be head shavings starting at noon, The Line of Hope will start at 2pm with a Salute to our Veterans. 

There will be a Bake Sale and Raffle Baskets. Lou told me he is still looking for volunteers to bake and to make themed gift baskets for the raffle and also for those brave souls who will have their heads shaved (minimum contribution is $50.) and then solicit pledges and raise additional funds (call Lou at 845-557-3321 for sign-up assistance.). 

What is no longer part of the day’s activities is the Conga Line Against Cancer that went up Route 55. Due to insurance issues and the lack of having any Town constables to protect the participants, The Conga Line Against Cancer is cancelled. 

Lou Monteleone has not a minute to spare these days, but he told me he keeps going on because “It just break my heart to see kids struggling so much and being a patient and not just a kid. 

“So, for these past seventeen years every September Lou has sponsored a St. Baldrick’s Head Shaving in Eldred. Lou told me he finds himself only needing $14,000 in donations to reach his goal of raising a total of $200,000. 

“I have been doing some pop-up fundraisers on Facebook to help St. Baldrick’s” he told me. According to Lou the Covid crisis 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.

So, no matter what else he may have going on-in the Town of Highland, at the Pizza Piazza Lou Monteleone will don his large green fuzzy leprechaun hat and along with his lovely wife June hosts all the events of the day. 

The Human Line of Hope across America which is one of the highlights of the event is still organizing participants in various states. 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 twelve states represented and more being added all the time. It is not that difficult to participate-all someone has to do is make a short video holding a sign of encouragement or in memory of someone affected by cancer. All the individual State’s videos will be put together in a presentation for the Foundation and posted online. 

Those of us in Highland do not have to look too far to see how incredibly important the St. Baldrick’s missions of research for a cure for pediatric cancer is.

 Our own lovely Isabella Mc Giglio (our Warrior Princess) from Yulan fought a tough fight and is doing well thanks to excellent medical care and the support and love of her family and friends. 

According to Lou Isabella’s dad, Dan will be shaving his head this year. There are many ways we can all help to support the important work of the St. Baldrick Foundation. So, save the date-Sunday, September 11th from noon-6:00p.m. 

For more information on how to donate go to www.stbaldricks.org/events/lineofhope2022. If you would like to sign up to be a shavee or want additional information you can email Lou at lineofhope@hvc.rr.comor call The Corner at 845-557-3321.

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