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Larchmont Boys to Shave Heads at Fundraiser

MAMARONECK, N.Y. – Almost 20 area boys are expected to shave their heads at a Mamaroneck bar Saturday for a fundraiser organized by parents and two local elementary school children who beat cancer as infants. The event is to raise awareness of pediatric cancer.

Katie Broderick, 10, and Connor Robinson, 9, both of Larchmont, will co-chair the Spring Buzz Cut with Murray Avenue Survivors at 9 a.m. Saturday at Molly Spillane’s in Mamaroneck, said Connor’s mother, Katie Robinson.

The event will be a teaching lesson for area schoolchildren and will raise funds for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a national organization that funds research on childhood cancer and is known for its signature head-shaving benefit events. Though its events usually are targeted toward adults, Celeste Zamora, special events coordinator at the foundation, said schoolchildren's shaving their heads to support friends in cancer treatment is becoming “very popular.”

“I was thrilled to hear from Katie (Robinson) that they were organizing an event in Mamaroneck and about all the community support they are getting. It’s always great when a community comes together to help and support,” Zamora said.

Katie Broderick and Connor openly talk about their experiences with friends at Murray Avenue School, Katie Robinson said. A neuroblastoma tumor pressing against Connor’s heart and spine was removed when he was only a month old, and Katie Broderick had to undergo two years of chemotherapy after a softball-sized tumor was discovered around her heart at the age of 2. Both children are healthy today, Katie Robinson said.

Conversations with the children and knowledge of the St. Baldrick’s events prompted Katie Robinson, Alex Soderlund, Patty Broderick and Lisa Sommer to unite to host a head-shaving event for children, Katie Robinson said.

“Connor is very excited and is counting the days to shave his head,” his mother said. “Some of his friends are joining him in doing the same.”

The group has raised more than $4,600 so far, with Connor alone raising more than $1,500. The organizers are continuing to invite additional area boys to join in shaving their heads on Saturday. Girls are allowed to participate but do not have to shave their heads, Katie Robinson said.

Donations to the cause may be made online at http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/8653/2012 or in person Saturday at the bar, 211 Mamaroneck Ave., Katie Robinson said.

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