Community Corner

Local Teacher Marks 10 Years of Going Bald

There are many ways to support him as he shaves his head for St. Baldrick's Day. So far, this Nanuet teacher has raised $545 of his $1,000 goal

 

St. Baldrick's Day is known by most people around here and is just around the corner. On Sunday, March 10, Barr Middle School Teacher Vinny Garrison will join many others in the community to shave his head for St. Baldrick's Day.

As a volunteer lead event organizer, this year marks his 10th year of going bald for the St. Baldrick's Day Foundation at the Hennessy Center on the Dominican College campus from 11-3.  

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"In my ten years participating and organizing a St. Baldrick's Day event in Rockland county, we have shaved more than 2000 heads and raised more than $700,000 to help find cures for a variety of childhood Cancers," said Garrison. "I am so thankful for living in such a wonderful and giving community."

Residents will shave their heads to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures. This volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government and donations will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers.

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"Cancer is such a terrible disease that affects so many people, especially little children," said the Nanuet teacher. "St. Baldrick's Day brings people together that share one common cause, finding cures to all cancers that affect children.  As a father, the event takes on an even greater importance."

Garrison is part of Team Chance, which was created in memory of Chance Cosgrove. Cosgrove participated in St. Baldrick’s in 2008 and 2009 as a shavee. Tragically, Cosgrove lost his life in an accident while on a family vacation the summer of 2009.

"I remember watching him shave in 2008 and feeling an immeasurable sense of pride and at the same time fear," said his father Gregg Cosgrove. "I was wondering if he’d get teased at school or picked on because of his newly shaved head. Chance didn’t care. He was shaving in solidarity with all the kids who didn’t have a choice and wanted to make a difference."

So far, Garrison has raised $545 of his $1,000 goal. Here's how you can help Garrison:

  1. You could join him on stage and have your head shaved to help show kids that not having hair is not a big deal
  2. You could come and help volunteer at the event
  3. You could donate to online, by phone or mail

Here is the link to Garrison's Donation Page.

"Childhood Cancers are crazy brutal and being a father now, it makes me more aware of how much some kids have to go through to live a normal healthy life," he said. " If you can help out this year, I would appreciate it immensely, and so would all the kids going through treatment."


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