Where else can you go to get a free haircut while helping fight kid’s cancer? By joining the courageous team at the Annual St. Baldrick’s Day taking place in Floral Park on Saturday, April 5 at Trinity Restaurant, 190 Jericho Turnpike, in Floral Park from 2 to 9 p.m.
The event is in memory of Aiden Binkley, an 11-year-old Floral Park boy who passed away in December 2010 from a rare form of pediatric cancer.
At the end of July 2008 Aiden was diagnosed with stage 4 Rhabdomeyosarcoma, a rare cancer that originated in his prostate and had a small spread to his lung (aidenbinkley.com).
Last year, the St. Baldrick’s event at Trinity had an outstanding number of 238 shavees that raised over $251,000, which made the Floral Park event number 11 out of 3,000 worldwide shaving events. It was a huge accomplishment as it marked $1 million raised since this event began in Floral Park in 2008.
An amazing congratulations to the supportive Floral Park community. This year, the event organizers hope to move up to the number 10th ranking.
The St. Baldrick’s premise is simple, shave your head to find a cure for children’s cancer. The shaving is a show of solidarity with the children who lose their hair when they are afflicted by cancer treatment and to raise money to help find a cure for this horrible disease. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation has raised over $100 million and is committed to funding the best research for kids with cancer and the top pediatric oncologists in the U.S.
Additionally, a Parade of Heroes tradition began in 2009 when Aiden rode to Trinity’s with the fire department. The tradition has continued to grow each year since. This year, returning Army soldier Charles Susczynski, Jr. of Floral Park is this year’s parade hero. Susczynski, a graduate of Floral Park Memorial High School, served in Afghanistan with 2nd Infantry, Division 4.
The parade, being led by Sword of Light Pipe Band, steps off from Village Hall at 1:30 p.m., marching through the village to Trinity Restaurant for St. Baldrick’s festivities. Tom Weissler and Michael McGuire of Trinity Restaurant have proudly sponsored the event for the sixth year in a row.
To become a shavee or volunteer, stop by the event or donate to the cause, visit www.stbaldricks.org and to donate to one of the shavees. For information call Bob GaNun, lead organizer for the annual event, at 917-921-3639.
Shave you later!
