St. Baldrick’s gains support from 2 events

HUNTLEY — Huntley Community School District 158 and the community had two opportunities to assist St. Baldrick Foundation’s Battle of the Bald, which raises funds for research to battle pediatric cancer.

Heidi Fish had a surprise for all who came early to the third annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser for the national foundation, held at Marlowe Middle School.=

As cancer survivor Matt Erickson stood by, instead of getting her hair cut, Fish, the Martin Elementary School nurse, took off her wig.

“I lost my hair last June due to cancer treatment,” Fish said. “I wore a wig because the kids are third and fourth-graders and I did not want them to have any anxiety. But today I’m taking the wig off to show solidarity for children like Matt who have survived childhood cancer.”

As a result of the events on behalf of St. Baldrick’s Foundation at Marlowe Middle School, in addition to a community event March 1 at Pinecrest Golf Club, about $30,000 was raised, organizers said. A total of 26 shavees volunteered. Students from Cosmetology and Spa Academy of Crystal Lake worked on their skills as they did the cutting.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation event, in its third year at Marlowe had a few twists, with D-158 staff members playing basketball, a Huntley police and fire department team competing, free throw shooting contest, music, a raffle and kids’ games.

Matt Erickson was diagnosed with a brain tumor at birth, now is a seventh grader at Marlowe. He participated in the third annual event.

“We had an MRI done last year at Lurrie Children’s Hospital and this is a busy time of year for him,” Matt’s mom, Sue Erickson, said.

“He’s awesome, super excited to be here,” Matt’s teacher, Amy Tetrov, said.

“He’s a former student of mine, but I’m still his favorite teacher,” Jennifer Slad said.

A group of staff members doned “Cancer Surivor Cancer Buddies” t-shirts.

“It’s a fantastic event,” Jenny Christansen said.

Cancer survivor Melissa Paddock, a D-158 staff member at the Early Learning Center, said the event is important for cancer research.

“You will be giving hope to thousands of kids diagnosed with cancer every day from babies and toddlers to children, teens and youth and you will be saving lives. St. Baldrick’s Foundation is driven by people who believe in helping kids with cancer. More children are lost to cancer in the US than any other disease, more than many other diseases combined. Worldwide, cancer is diagnosed every two minutes,” according to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s web site.