SEBASTIAN — Always a hot weekend “place to be” on Sebastian’s popular waterfront, The Sandbar at Capt. Hiram’s was even hotter Saturday afternoon as a very big crowd gathered to have some Serious Fun for an extremely Serious Cause.
It was Sebastian’s second annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser to support the fight against childhood cancer and, by event’s end, thousands had been raised by a brave bunch of men, women and children – and their sponsors – who, five in a row, perched on stools, on stage, before the cheering crowd, and had their heads shaved. The local event’s principal organizer and chief sparkplug was Missy Elward, who was on overdrive throughout the several-hour event . Eschewing publicity for herself, she said, on the run, “It’s all about the kids. That’s why we exist.”
Frank (Cookie) Mannino, a volunteer co-organizer, explained the 14-year-old organization’s origin. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation was started by three friends. Tim Kenny issued a challenge to colleagues John Bender and Enda McDonnell: How will you give back in return for your own good fortune in business?
Enda’s thick head of red hair gave John the big idea – shave their heads for donations to raise funds for kids with cancer. The annual reinsurance industry’s St. Patrick’s Day party, held at Jim Brady’s pub in Manhattan, became the first St. Baldrick’s event.
The goal of shaving 17 heads and raising $17,000 turned into 19 bald heads and $104,000 donated to fund the research of the Children’s Oncology Group.
The event had a life of its own and quickly grew into the world’s largest (all) volunteer-driven fundraising program for childhood cancer research. The Foundation now funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government.
So far, the Foundation has raised more than $125 million, virtually all of which goes directly to the cause.
Later, Mannino walked the talk, and went bald for the second year.
The crowd, including dozens wearing Team Quinton T-shirts, fell into total silence for a moving moment in remembrance of 12-year-old Quinton Martin, who died of cancer on Feb. 1, 2013.
Since the devastating loss, his mom, Autumn Martin, has made it her goal that no parents should have to bury their child.
“We have to make a difference,” she said with passion, noting that the St. Baldrick’s Foundation receives only about 4 percent of federal money dedicated to cancer research, even though 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, and in the U.S., more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease – more than AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and diabetes combined.
Among the diverse individuals and groups who had committed to saying temporary farewell to their locks: several Indian River County Firefighters, including John O’Connor, David Dangerfield, Steve Greer and Rod Johnston.
Firefighters organization President O’Connor said the cause is “near and dear to our hearts. We lost one of our own, John Morgan, to cancer last year. And St. Baldrick’s has an Irish history that coincides with the fire department.”
Sebastian resident Jose Rubio sat under the razor for the second year.
“It’s a great cause, it saves lives. It’s my yearly haircut,” he joked, “My wife was more traumatized than I was.”
Representing the Sebastian City Council were second-year St. Baldrick veterans Councilwoman Andrea Coy and Mayor Bob McPartlan. Coy, wearing a gigantic stovepipe hat, mingled with the crowd, raising funds until the very last moment.
As she had observed last year, and most of the newly shorn participants heartily agreed, “The biggest thing is how COLD it is with no hair.”
McPartlan, with a daughter perched on each knee, felt his hair depart – at least, most of it. When the shaving was done, McPartlan sported an arrow of hair down the back of his head, pointing toward his collar. Another new trend, no doubt.
Representing the City of Fellsmere was Vice Mayor Joel Tyson, who raised $800 for the cause.
Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Manager Kevin Lowry let his hair and beard grow out especially for the event and found himself often completely unrecognized by friends and co-workers.
“I really didn’t even give it a second thought.” he said. “It was a no brainer. I did it for the Foundation and for all the children.”
From the Sebastian Lions Club, Norman Meyer and Bill Howard shared the shear. In addition to the hair cut, the two came away with yin and yang beards – Howard having the left side removed, and Meyer the right.
Mary Cavanaugh, the first woman to take a seat on stage, said she was getting rid of her short bob in memory of her mother, who had died of cancer when Mary was only 12.
Twelve-year-old Gabby Ioffredo told her mom, Tina Marie, she wanted to give back to the community. Tina Marie explained that Gabby had lost her special needs bike last year and people in the community had joined to provide a new one.
Gabby laughed and talked with the crowd as her beautiful, long dark hair fell, and never stopped smiling as her charming new look emerged.
Crystal Melton’s blonde (and pink) hair fell in waves down her back.
“It’s going to be a big change. I’m a little nervous,” she admitted.
But she got up her courage and lost her locks in honor and memory of a friend who died of cancer and for the 9-year-old daughter of a friend, recently diagnosed with a brain tumor.
County Commissioners Bob Solari and Joe Flescher sat side by side and shared a bit of banter. Flescher added to St. Baldrick’s coffers by promising pal Todd Brognano that he could finish the hair cut – if he pitched in some more bucks.
Brognano did and Flescher ended up with what could well become a new trend in men’s hairstyles.
Event sponsors were Capt. Hiram’s, The Breeze 93.7, Wemmer Family Orthodontics, Monnett Eye and Surgery Center, Fidelity Investments, SteelNation, 94.7 Hot Country, Total Print, Re/Max Crown Realty, and Surfaces Inc.
Four-year-old Danika Stanch is one of the local “St. Baldrick’s kids” currently battling cancer. She sat on stage smiling and wiggling, with her mom, Danielle by her side. Danika had chosen not to ride in the really big, loud Pink Fire Truck with the loud motorcycle police escort enlisted especially to bring the St. Baldrick’s kids to the event, opting instead to ride quietly to the event with her mom.
Laura Saputo still clearly remembers the moment the doctor told her that her son, Vincent, had cancer. In the ensuing years, the family has continued the battle. Vincent is now 9 and loved riding in the special escort truck with police sirens blasting.
Laura had asked Vincent if he was going to get his head shaved for St. Baldrick’s this year. Vincent, who has undergone chemo for much of his life, replied, “Mom, you have no idea what it feels like to be bald.”
Laura said, “You’re right. I don’t know.”
And so, she sat on stage, Vincent standing proudly beside her, and found out for herself.
