St. Baldrick's Event at the Family YMCA -- Know Before You Go

This Sunday, March 29, from 11:45 am to 2 pm, the Westport Weston Family YMCA will host the 11th Annual TeamBrent St. Baldrick’s Celebration at our new Bedford Family Center at 14 Allen Raymond Lane in Westport.

We’re excited to support this local/national partnership to raise funds to help fight childhood cancer. And we’re happy to hear from our friends at TeamBrent that pre-event donations and interest have been very positive. Thank you!

We also thank YMCA members and program participants for allowing the YMCA’s Gymnasium to serve as the venue for this community-wide event, making it unavailable for other use until about 3 pm. Please be aware that all other program spaces will be open on Sunday, including the Wellness Center.

What follows are some updates and helpful advice for those of you who are planning to join us on Sunday at the Family YMCA for what promises to be a fun and inspirational day:

• Directions. The new Westport Weston Family YMCA is located at 14 Allen Raymond Lane in Westport, near the junction of Route 33 (Wilton Road) and Exit 41 of the Merritt Parkway. Some GPS systems haven’t yet updated our new address. If so, use 5 Sunny Lane in Westport. For detailed directions, click here.
• Please carpool. The YMCA is always bustling on Sundays, so expect the parking lot to be busy as well. Thanks to a very generous donation from Parking Systems and some other sponsors, we will utilize this firm’s valet parking service during the Celebration. Please follow the posted directional signs and instructions of the attendants.
• Enjoy the Y! Our St. Baldrick’s participants are welcome to stay and use the Family YMCA for the day. Young children can enjoy the Kids’ Club and Fort Mack playscape. Bring swim suits and towels and have fun in the shallow warm-water family pool, with its Splash Pad play area for pre-swimmers, Aqua Hoops for teens and tweens and more. The Family YMCA’s 14-ft. tall Aquatic Climbing Wall – the first in the state of Connecticut – will also be available for play in the deep end of the 10-lane lap pool.
• Schedule. We will open registration at 11:30 am. Opening Ceremonies are at 12 noon, immediately followed by head shaving, head painting, music and complimentary photography of our shavees until 2 pm.
• Expect organized chaos and fun.The YMCA’s Gymnasium will be filled with families in high spirits. We ask that you mind your young children and help us make sure that the YMCA’s regularly scheduled programs and activities can take place without undue distractions.
• Be the Match! Healthy adults ages 18-44 are invited join our Be the Match bone marrow drive. See below for details.
• Pre-register. Walk-ins are welcome but pre-registration helps us plan, so we encourage you and your friends to register online.
• Under 18? All shavees under the age of 18 need to either pre-register or be accompanied by a parent – without that they will not be allowed to shave.
• Company Match? Don’t forget company matching funds – that really helps us help kids!

Be the Match Bone Marrow Drive

Healthy adults ages 18-44 can join our Be the Match bone marrow drive, taking place during the TeamBrent St. Baldrick’s Celebration on Sunday.

More than 110 people have registered at TeamBrent events, which help patients who need an unrelated donor to donate stem cells for a transplant.

Says TeamBrent co-founder Dana McCreesh: “Our friend Tom Sicotte will be manning the drive this year. His daughter Anna is now cancer free thanks to her match. Please register to give the gift of life. The process is free and easy – it involves getting a cheek swab and filling out some forms –and it matters!”

Your support of the TeamBrent St. Baldrick’s Celebration does make a difference. To see how, click on this link to a brief video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2gVMlMyShg

“This is a wonderful community event that represents all that our Family YMCA is about – developing and nurturing youth, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility,” says Jay Jaronko, Senior Program Director.

“We’re very much looking forward to welcoming TeamBrent and St. Baldrick’s and all who support their efforts to conquer childhood cancer.”

For details about the 11th Annual TeamBrent St. Baldrick’s Celebration at the Family YMCA on March 29, please visit teambrent.com or stbaldricks.org. For directions, schedules and other information about the Westport Weston Family YMCA, please visit westporty.org or call our Welcome Center Desk at 203-226-8981.