Family of Five will Shave Their Heads at River Grove St. Baldrick's Event

Family photo courtesy of the Colantuono family. Photos from past St. Baldrick’s events by Lisa Balsley.

For eight years, Michelle Colantuono has helped the Franklin Park Fire Department organize annual St. Baldrick’s events, and she’s watched her husband, her son and many friends go bald for the cause.

But this year, Michelle and her two daughters, Maddy and Ally Colantuono, won’t just be watching.

All five members of this La Grange family will shave their heads to raise money for St. Baldrick’s Foundation at a March 6 event at Hanging Gardens Banquets in River Grove.

“We’re going to have a really interesting Christmas card,” Michelle said.

They won’t be the only ones. More than 260 people have registered to shave their heads at the River Grove event, which is among the top St. Baldrick’s fundraisers in the world. As of Wednesday afternoon, it was ranked the 12th top event, with more than $87,000 raised. In the past eight years, the event has collected more than $1 million to help fight childhood cancer.

Dan Colantuono, Michelle’s husband and a Franklin Park firefighter, said they expect about 1,000 people to attend this year, including 75 volunteers and 30 licensed barbers.

Dan first shaved his head for St. Baldrick’s at a Naperville event honoring Maggie Horn, a cancer survivor and the daughter of a lieutenant with the Franklin Park Fire Department. Dan was inspired to organize a committee, and they held their first event in 2007 in Franklin Park. The event moved to Hanging Gardens Banquets the following year, and it’s been there ever since.

Michelle said her daughters have been interested in shaving their heads for St. Baldrick’s for years, and she and Dan wanted to make sure they knew what it really means to participate.

“It’s a bittersweet event,” Michelle said. “It’s a lot of fun, but while you’re doing it, you know it’s for kids with cancer.”

Michelle said she’s watched her children sit quietly and listen as nurses, doctors and St. Baldrick’s representatives talk about where the money goes. They’ve heard the families of survivors and the families of kids who couldn’t beat the disease. They’ve spoken with Honored Kids about what it’s like to go through treatment.

“They fully understand the implications of what they’re doing,” Michelle said. “It’s amazing to me that our girls haven’t waffled about doing this at all. Not once have they said, ‘Maybe we should wait.’ I’m following them into this, they’re not following me.”

The Colantuono family has set fundraising goals for each member. Dan and Joey, age 6, each set a goal of $500. Michelle, Maddy, age 10, and Ally, age 8, each set goals of $1,000. So far, the family has raised more than $5,000, and the number is growing quickly.

The family drew a goal thermometer that they’ve been filling in as they achieve donations. Michelle said she and Dan have helped Maggie and Ally develop responses in case they get teased for being bald.

“I’d always said if any of my kids had cancer, I would shave my head,” Michelle said. “Thankfully, they don’t. But we should be raising money to cure pediatric cancer instead of waiting to see who gets it.”

There’s no admission charge for the St. Baldrick’s event at Hanging Gardens Banquets, held March 6 beginning at 5:30 p.m. There will be a bone marrow registry, a silent auction, raffles, a photo booth, a children’s area and princess and superhero guests.

Click here to donate for the Colantuono family’s team. Click “View All Members” to select a specific person.