Hillcrest first-graders raise nearly $9,000 for St. Baldrick’s Foundation

When a team of three Hillcrest students recently decided to have their heads shaved for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, they set a fundraising goal of $800—and ended up bringing in nearly $9,000.

Matt Oko and Declan Trant, both in Amy Flannery’s first-grade class at Hillcrest School, formed Abby’s Army in honor of a relative of Matt’s who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at age four. Classmate Eryn Becker joined the team in honor of a friend who recently was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

According to the website for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the organization “is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.” The funds are raised primarily through head-shaving events, in which volunteers promise to shave their heads and in turn show solidarity with children who are currently undergoing cancer treatment.  

“I like to do this because kids with cancer who don’t have hair might feel better if they see that other kids look like them and want to help them,” Matt said.

“I am shaving my head to show others that it is OK if you lose your hair, and they shouldn't feel bad about it,” Declan wrote on his website.

Matt, Declan and Eryn had their heads shaved at the fourth annual St. Baldrick’s event at the Kerry Piper on March 18. Several Hillcrest families attended to show their support, and Declan’s sister Cailyn, also a Hillcrest student, performed during the event with the Trinity Irish Dancers.

“They were nice enough to come out and perform and suppor the kids after a week of non-stop dancing for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations,” said Matt’s mom, Jennie Oko.

Declan colored his hair green several days prior to the event because his uncle told him he would double his own donation if Declan did so. Eryn had such long hair that not only did she raise money for St. Baldrick’s through pledges to shave her head, she also was able to keep her ponytail to donate to Locks of Love. Matt’s grandmother got so into the fundraising for St. Baldrick’s that she was fighting the doctors to release her from the hospital so she could attend the event.

“She was released several days later and was able to attend the event and present Matt with almost $3,000 that she received from family, friends and many members of the VFW and women’s auxiliary in Wheaton,” Oko said.

Oko said that Matt, Declan and Eryn raised a total of $8,793 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and were excited and happy to be able to help other children.