Nanuet FD Honors Patrick Chance By Going Bald

Many locals are shaving their heads for cancer on St. Baldrick's Day this Sunday, Mar. 11 at Dominican College. This is an event that raises funds for cancer research and support for kids with cancer. Each participant raises funds to shave his/her hair in support of those kids with cancer who do not have a choice but to have their heads shaved and loss of hair from treatment. 

Although many have personal reasons to go bald, for members of the Nanuet Fire Department, their reason for doing it recently gained importance with the passing of . This 9-year-old Atlanta boy fought against cancer and inspired Nanuet volunteer firefighters.

He was made an honorary Nanuet FD member in 2008 and on his 9th birthday, at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He suffered from neuroblastoma, a form of childhood cancer.

Joe Koester, Third Lt., is captain for their St. Baldrick’s Day Team Nanuet Fire Engine Company, which includes about 20 participants right now.

“Patrick is the reason for the formation of the team. He’s the one that we honor and this year, we’ll be remembering him since this will be the first time we’re doing this since he’s passed,” he said. “Patrick was an incredible person, incredible story and a great fighter.”

This is the third year, this fire engine company is participating as a group and it’s mostly “fire dept members but it’s open to anyone to join including friends and family of the company.”

Team Nanuet Fire Engine Co. has raised $2,165 out of its $3,000 goal. Visit its team donation page to sponsor them.

“Over the past two years, we’ve raised over $6,000. Each year, we shoot for $3,000,” said Koester.

“(Chance) is a great story and serves as a symbol of so many incredible people who are touched by this disease and a lot of them are children. It’s a great event organized by Vinny Garrison to shed as much light as possible on this cause,” he said. “Hopefully we can raise as much awareness as possible and one day defeat cancer all together.”

Nanuet Teacher is the main event organizer for St. Baldrick’s Day and Patch has profiled a few other loyal participants: a team of , 11-year-old of Nanuet and 12-year-old of Nanuet and his Team Support.

Koester added that the Blauvelt Volunteer Fire Company is also heavily involved since the event will take place in an area they help cover in mutual aid situations.

Here are some ways you can help:

• You could join them on stage and have your head shaved to help show kids that not having hair is not a big deal (free lunch at Baileys after for shavees.)
• You could come and help at the event, free t-shirt to volunteers and a lot of fun.
• You could donate to them or anyone else at events all over the country (there are more than 1,000 events going on this year.)

The following donors are supporting the Nanuet Fire Engine Co.:

Donation of $500.00 - $999.00

• The Officers and Members of the Nanuet Fire Engine Co.

Donation of $1.00 - $499.00

• Julio Atiles
• Ms. Grace Becchinelli
• MELISSA M BRADY In Memory Of PATRICK CHANCE
• Bob & Ann Lacy In Memory Of Patrick Chance
• Theodore J Meserole
• Vincent & Cheryl Pacella
• Jason Schlesinger
• Sully