Fight Childhood Cancer Saturday In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — This Saturday, July 29, some volunteer Middletown firefighters, local school principals and others will have their heads shaved by kids fighting cancer.

The event, called Shave a Hero/Save a Hero, will be held rain or shine from noon to 4 p.m. at the Community Firehouse Station #4 at 75 Appleton Avenue in Leonardo. Pictured above is 1st Asst. Middletown Fire Chief Ryan Clarke getting his head shaved last summer by Mia McCaffrey, 6. Tragically, Mia passed away this past March from the cancer she so bravely battled (parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma). Saturday's event is in her honor.

It's a event that will make you wonder who the real heroes among us are. Saturday's fundraiser is organized by the Gorsegner family, who live here in Middletown.

In August of 2012, 7-year-old Natalie Grace Gorsegner was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblasticleukemia.

She underwent more than two years of aggressive chemotherapy and has been in remission since November of 2014. Her father, Dan, is co-owner of the family flooring business Gorsegner Brothers Hardwood Floors and Natalie's grandfather is Middletown Fire Chief John Gorsegner.

The main attraction on Saturday will be watching Middletown firefighters, police officers, school principals, kids and even Natalie’s mom, Andrea, and sister Hannah having their heads shaved by childhood cancer survivors. Anyone who wants to get their head shaved and can donate $20 is welcome to attend!

There will also be food, games, music, face painting and more ... the perfect way to spend an afternoon with your family while giving back and having fun! Food/beverage bands will be $20/person, food/water bands will be $10/person and kids 12-years old and under eat for free. Any shavee who raises/donates $20 or more will automatically receive one food/beverage band. This beautiful, fun-filled afternoon will consist of food, activities, raffles, prizes, face-painting, balloon animals, lots of laughter and OF COURSE head shaving!

While the Gorsegners are grateful for their daughter’s survival, they know all too well that many families are not as fortunate. Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for U.S. children, and unfortunately funding for childhood cancer research is extremely limited. In over 25 years, only three new rugs have been developed for any type of childhood cancer.

Through their grassroots foundation, Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer, the Gorsegners have made it their mission to continue the fight against childhood cancer via research support. In the past four years their foundation has awarded over $500,000 in research grants to some of our nation’s top leading research facilities and hospitals.

Generous sponsors include The Asbury Park Press, Remodel America, World Subaru, Gorsegner Brothers Hardwood Floors and Tom’s Ford.