The Alternative Press

MADISON, NJ - The first St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser, to help raise money for the Childhood Cancer Foundation, was held at Poor Herbie’s, 13 Waverly Place, Sunday afternoon.

Event organizer Tom Selquist explained that in an effort to raise money for the foundation, participants received sponsors to shave their heads.

“Our goal is to become the biggest St. Baldrick’s fundraiser in New Jersey,” Selquist said. “As of Saturday we raised $30K which after today, we are certainly passed.”

Selquist added that Downtown Hair Salon volunteered their time shaving around 30-40 heads and Poor Herbie’s donatedd ten percent of all sales made on Sunday.

Selquist’s friend, Mike NcCreesh, explained that his son, Brandt, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma.

NcCreesh said that even though Brandt is currently in remission for nearly eight years, the 30 percent
survival rate given at diagnosis was “just not good enough.”

NcCreesh added that former co-workers, children, and town residents all came to support the event.

“This is exactly why the foundation is successful,” NcCreesh said. “This event feels like its second or third year because of all the excitement.”

NcCreesh, a Connecticut resident, said the event gave a perfect depiction of how community-like the town of Madison is.

“This event really seemed to capture the vibe of the town,” NcCreesh said. “It’s amazing how many participants signed up to shave their heads.”

Amongst the list, six players from the Morristown Beard baseball team decided to shave their heads for the cause.

Senior, Shane Carpenter, decided to participate because of the “great” cause.

“It’s the best I can do to help these children,” Carpenter said. “It really pulls at your heart and this is the best thing I can do to help these kids out."

Carpenter explained that he and his teammates found out about the event through Facebook.

Selquist said he is already planning on doubling the event for next year, taking it out into the streets where all of downtown Madison will participate.

“The outcome is far beyond anything I could have hoped for,” Selquist said. “Everyone was so quick to jump in and the merchants in Madison were great.”