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March 7, 2023

Family members, friends and teachers for Matthew Erickson, attend the St. Baldrick's "Battle of the Bald" event. Erickson was diagnosed with a brain cancer just after birth. Front row from left: Kent, Dekasha and Matthew Erickson, Olivia Jensen and Joey Tunzi. Back row: Jen Boyd, Angela Imelda, Gabbi Ford, Chris Normington, Debi Ryan, Tricia Boskey, Jennifer Slad, Sara Tunzi, Merele Haslan and Julia Przybowski.
Steve Peterson
Family members, friends and teachers for Matthew Erickson, attend the St. Baldrick’s “Battle of the Bald” event. Erickson was diagnosed with a brain cancer just after birth. Front row from left: Kent, Dekasha and Matthew Erickson, Olivia Jensen and Joey Tunzi. Back row: Jen Boyd, Angela Imelda, Gabbi Ford, Chris Normington, Debi Ryan, Tricia Boskey, Jennifer Slad, Sara Tunzi, Merele Haslan and Julia Przybowski.

Features • March 7, 2023

Big attendance to support St. Baldrick’s

By

HUNTLEY — Huntley District 158 teacher Jennifer Slad held up a sign at the ninth annual Battle of the Bald/St. Baldrick’s Foundation event at Marlowe Middle School.

“In honor of Matthew,” the sign read as she held it up as a “Shavee” during the hair-clearing days, held March 3 and 4.

“I was nervous,” Slad said of having her head shaved. “But I have known Matt for three years; he’s a survivor.”

Matthew  Erickson is a fifth-grader who makes members of his team, family, fellow students and the community smile. The St. Baldrick’s event is to support St. Baldrick’s, “committed to conquering childhood cancer.”

“He was excited about having his head shaved,” his Mom, Sue Erickson.

Matt Ericson’s condition has touched many at Huntley District 158.

“He was diagnosed as having a brain tumor when he was four-days old,” his mom Sue said.

Matt is Sue and Ben Erickson’s youngest child. “He gets treatment at Lurie’s Children’s Hospital of Chicago and he has been in remission,” Sue commented.

Huntley teacher Amy Disabato had a personal connection to the St. Baldrick’s day, too. She knows someone who had been diagnosed with Leukemia.

Heineman Middle School teacher Nicholas Wilford described how he got involved. “I had a bet with a class that if 80 % of the class participated.”

Many commented on the 25-degree weather that waited outside but several had wool hats at the ready.

Seventh graders Dillon Quick and Devlan Boyd teamed up for their big haircut day.

The day meant a chance for students at Cosmetology And Spa Academy of Crystal Lake to work on their hair care skills.

Volunteer organizers said that the participants raised about half of their $50,000 goal, with a second session held at Pinecrest Golf Course.

 

St. Baldrick’s Foundation

 

“Childhood cancer doesn’t discriminate,” the foundation’s web site states. “It affects kids from all walks of life, whether they are learning to walk or learning to drive, live in big cities or small towns. It doesn’t discriminate based on ethnicity, gender or socioeconomic status. Kids with cancer deserve a lifetime and are at the heart of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Childhood cancer isn’t just one disease, there are over a dozen types of childhood cancer and countless sub-types, each requiring specific research to develop the best treatment for every child.”