If you walk the streets of New York, don’t be surprised when you see a bunch of teenagers proudly sporting their shaved heads.
No, they aren’t the new skinhead punks. But they are there to make a statement.
New Yorkers, including members of the Filipino-American community in the state are shaving their heads to help raise funds for childhood cancer research.
“I feel it’s important as an act of solidarity for everyone who is going through this tough battle,” says Fil-Am Jeff Delfin who volunteered to go bald at the 10th Annual Hero Celebration.
At the Loeb Bathhouse in New York City’s Central Park, two organizations are encouraging people to shave their heads for a worthy cause.
Candlelighters NYC is an organization which supports families that have to deal with their children undergoing cancer treatment while St. Baldrick’s Foundation focuses on research that help understand and hopefully, cure childhood cancer.
“It’s showing how much we care aboutfighting this disease and these kids can’t do it alone and they need our help,” says volunteer Max Lazerwitz.
A Filipino father, Richard Sy, decided to pay it forward by going bald as well.
“I’m doing it for my son RJ, he has stage 4 neuroblastoma. It’s a cancer that happens in children. It’s all for a good cause,” he said.
The Sys are a beneficiary of Candlighters NYC. RJ’s mother appreciates the support pouring in.
“I’m as grateful as, you know, with all the prayers that are coming in, just as grateful or even more grateful for the prayers than all the financial support we’ve been getting,” says Cheely Ann Sy.
St. Baldrick’s volunteers have raised more than a $100 million in childhood cancer researchgrants since 2005.
It is estimated that worldwide, a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes. But because of cancer research, about 90 percent of kids today with the most common types of cancer is expected to survive.
