'Brave the shave' for children's cancer research

BY GINNY PRIVITAR
WEST MILFORD — "Brave the shave" and stand with kids fighting cancer.
That's the message from local firefighters, police and EMTs who will be holding the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser to raise money for pediatric cancer research on Sunday, May 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Macopin Road Firehouse.
The event is not just a fundraiser, but a great community event with free barbeque, music by the Free Shrimp Band, a 50-50 raffle, tricky tray and kids’ activities, including volleyball and a bounce house. Everyone is welcome.
The event is now in its 6th year and has raised more than $100,000 for children’s cancer research. Co-organizers Police Officer Robert Kulawiak and Firefighter Dave LeMay hope for a large turnout this year. Last year Morristown Pediatric received one of St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s grants.
You can sign up or donate online at https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/6563/2016/

Both Kulawiak and LeMay feel a strong personal connection with kids who suffer from cancer.
“The reason why we got involved with St. Baldrick’s was to make a difference in our community by helping children who are fighting for their life to beat cancer," Kulawiak said. "Since the start of our efforts, there have been great strides by the medical community to increase the survival rates of children with cancer. More work needs to be done to ensure every child has the opportunity to beat their diagnosis and live a happy, long life as they deserve to and not to be cut short by this horrible disease.”
They are not deterred by setbacks, but are encouraged by the success stories.
“When I was approached by Rob to help out with this fundraiser, I immediately agreed," said LeMay, a volunteer firefighter for 20 years. "My nephew CJ was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer, when he was 4. He is now 17 and cancer free."
“The West Milford St. Baldrick’s fundraiser is an open family event for the community to come and enjoy,” Kulawiak said, adding, “Macopin Pizza has stepped up and will donate one free pizza to everyone who steps up to the chair to "Brave the Shave" to stand in solidarity with children fighting cancer. You can sign up ahead of time online to participate and or volunteer or show up the day of the event.”
They anticipate over 70 people will be there to have their heads shaved to stand in solidarity with children with cancer. Events in the past have averaged more than 300 attendees in total and they hope for even more this year.
Most of those shaving their heads will be men, but women brave the challenge, too. Every year a few women show up.
“Last year a woman with a whole lot of hair, who had survived pediatric cancer, showed up, shaved her head and left, because she had been helped,” Kulawiak said, “but didn’t want to be in the limelight.”
More cures are possible with more money for research. Help West Milford's local heroes to help children fight this devastating disease cancer. Spread the word: sign up, donate, volunteer, involve your business, give a memorial gift or just come out for the event on May 22.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a childhood cancer charity funding research to find cures for kids with cancer. Grants are awarded and fundraising like this is so important to continue research. Although survival rates are far better than they were even 10 years ago, one in five children diagnosed with cancer will die from the disease. Of those who survive, many will suffer lasting effects from treatment that is too harsh for their developing bodies.