Community Corner
Taking It ALL Off For Childhood Cancer Research
St. Baldrick's event at O'Loughlin's raises $60,000 for childhood cancer research.
In an act of community solidarity and caring, more than 60 participants shaved their heads at the third annual St. Baldrick’s fundraiser held at O'Loughlin's in Arnold on Sunday. The event raised more than $60,000 for childhood cancer research and awareness.
The event was held in honor of 11-year-old St. Margaret's resident Joey Sudo who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer (AT/RT) at the age of seven. He underwent chemo and radiation therapy, in addition to a stem cell transplant, and remained cancer-free for two years before it returned in April 2010.
He recently underwent a more precise, less invasive proton treatment in Houston, TX. The family awaits results as Joey continues treatment.
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A highlight of the day was a visit from Joey, who sported a big smile for the crowd. Joey’s mother, Suzanne, said, “He takes it all in stride because of his normally easy-going personality.”
The St. Baldrick’s event was the community’s turn to show Joey it was ok to be bald, an unfortunate side effect of many cancer treatments.
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Master of Ceremony and County Sheriff Ron Bateman was especially moved when the event began. He started off the day with a donation of $1,500 and cancer survivors from his department were also in attendance to show their support.
In groups of four to five people, fundraising participants took their turns having their long and short locks shaved off. Mary Ann Davis, of Cape Hair Scene and Barber Shop, was one of the many hairstylists who volunteered her time for the event. The Sudos have visited Davis’ shop on many occasions and Davis was more than happy to donate her time for the cause.
The first group of shavees included Team Knuckleheads members Capt. Kilowatt, Tom Crawford of O’Loughlin’s, Jim Reilly, Phil Hundemann of Deep Creek Restaurant and "Blonde John," one of the top individual fundraisers with over $6,000 in donations. While Blonde John only intended on getting his head shaved, Sheriff Bateman couldn’t resist auctioning off his eyebrows, beard and mustache on the spot. Blonde John ended up “completely” shaved for the cause.
The top two team fundraisers were members of the D.C. Fire Department and Team Knuckleheads, with each raising over $20,000 in donations. Mark Johnson of the DCFD was also a top individual fundraiser garnering more than $5,700. Erica Slye, also of the DCFD, was the only female to have her head shaved, her long golden locks gone. Slye was one of the most animated participants, and the crowd was mesmerized as they watched her golden tresses become a buzz cut.
The reasons why people participated in the event were as varied as the individuals themselves. For some, it was a good cause; for others it was more personal. Broadneck resident Bill DeMar of Team Knuckleheads hasn’t had a buzz cut since he was ten-years-old, but his wife Julie’s mother had suffered from ovarian cancer.
“It was something we felt we could and should do,” said Julie DeMar, echoing the sentiments of everyone in the room.
Note: Updates on Joey Sudo’s progress can be viewed at the family’s blog located at www.carepages.com and entering the name, JosephSudo (no space between the names), in the “Find Family and Friends” search box. You will need to become a registered user at the CarePages website in order to view the blog.