The St. Baldrick’s Day event in March held at the Falcon Protection Fire District station off Meridian Road and Highway 24 was a huge success. The event brought in $1,855 for cancer research from donations collected by 20 people who publicly had their heads shaved. Contributing to the cancer fundraiserís success were four hairstylists from Falconís Unicorn Salon and six volunteers.St. Baldrickís events take place nationwide ñ the goal is to raise money for cancer research through the brave participants who volunteer to have their heads shaved.A Falcon resident, 6-year-old Madelyn Book, a neuroblastoma patient, attended the event with her family. ìIn September 2010, she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and partially went through normal treatment,î said Nicole Book, Madelynís mother. ìThen we found out it was chemo-resistant neuroblastoma. She has been on clinical trials since June 2011 and in remission since January 2013.î Book credits organizations and events like St. Baldrick’s for providing funding so Madelyn could receive the treatment that led to her remission. Book said Madelyn’s symptoms were vague, like most children who are diagnosed. ìShe had pain in her ribs; she would spike a fever,î Book said. ìOne day, she wouldn’t walk.î Madelyn has received treatment in California at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center and at Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colo.Seventeen-year-old Peyton High School senior Kariann Ouellette organized the event. She had the idea after watching her siblings shave their heads in the same type of event a couple of years ago. Although she is not certain she will be able to organize another one next year since it will be her first year of college, she will ìdefinitelyî do it again at some point. ìIt was fun and exciting, yet a little stressful, but so worth it,î Ouellette said. She worked hard to ensure the event came to fruition, and she credits all those who helped her. ìI couldn’t have done it without Unicorn Salon, La Mission Restaurant, KILO 64.3, the Falcon fire station; and, last but not least, my amazing supportive family.î
