Local Kids Prepare To Shave Heads For Cancer

With a Nanuet teacher, Vinny Garrison, as the main event organizer for St. Baldrick’s Day, many locals are loyal participants. Patch has profiled a few of them including himself, a team of , 11-year-old of Nanuet and check back with Patch later today to read about the Nanuet Fire Engine Company’s team.

In two days, Brian Camillieri, 12, will shave his head bald for the fifth year in a row in solidarity to children fighting cancer for St. Baldrick's Day this Sunday, Mar. 11 at Dominican College.

“My brother James and I started shaving our heads in 2008 and Team Support was established the following year,” said Camillieri, who lives in Pearl River and attends Nanuet Schools. “In 2010 a family friend, , joined and my Uncle Paul joined us in 2011.”

“I am so proud of both my sons for participating in St. Baldrick’s Day for several years,” said Camillieri’s mother, Christine. “It is such a good cause and gives them an opportunity to think of others and realize how fortunate we all are. I think they have come to realize that it is a good feeling to give back and be part of a community event.”

Camillieri’s excited to participate in an event that raises funds for cancer research and support for kids with cancer. Each participant raises funds to shave his/her hair in support of those kids with cancer who do not have a choice but to have their heads shaved and loss of hair from treatment. 

“The idea for the team name came from raising the money to help, or support, those with cancer. It also came from all the support everyone has given my brother and me in the previous years,” he said. “Matthew is the son of my Aunt Fran's best friend. Currently, the team has four people and we are trying to make it bigger every year.”

He’s the team captain and along with Giorgio, friends Sam Cardillo and Anthony Bruno are also going bald too. Like many people, Camillieri is no stranger to cancer.

 “On the day when the shaving happens, it makes you feel good when all the amounts of money are announced. My Aunt Fran is actually a cancer survivor herself and that is mainly who I think of and why I started doing it,” he said.

Team Support has already surpassed its goal of $2,000 by $340. Visit their team donation page to sponsor them.

“The support that I have gotten is beyond me! Every dollar surprises me and I get lots of support from family, friends and neighbors year after year,” Camillieri said. “The school that my father teaches at even held a fundraiser last year and this year to raise money for the cause and added it to my account.  I feel really grateful for all the support and generous donations.  Giving up my hair is nothing compared to what cancer patients have to go through.”

Here are some ways you can help:

• You could join them on stage and have your head shaved to help show kids that not having hair is not a big deal (free lunch at Baileys after for shavees.)
• You could come and help at the event, free t-shirt to volunteers and a lot of fun.
• You could donate to them or anyone else at events all over the country (there are more than 1,000 events going on this year.)