Students Shave Heads to Fight Cancer

Over 50 students, parents and teachers shaved their heads to raise money to fight children’s cancer at ’s fifth annual “Shave-a-Bration.”

The event raises an average of $5,000-$7,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which is a charity that supports research efforts to find cures for childhood cancer. According to the school's donation page, the participants have currently raised $4,174 this year at the time of publication.

Andrew Bernstein, currently a fifth-grade teacher at Canaan Elementary School, has been shaving his head for six years for the cause.

"I feel in my heart that it is making a difference being in solidarity with children that are suffering from a horrible illness. I can be in solidarity with them by shaving my head and showing my strength with them; united as one against cancer and showing that 'bald is beautiful'," Bernstein said.

Barbers from Mr. Nick's Barber Shop, at 153 Medford Ave. in Patchogue, 13 West Salon in Hampton Bays and parent Nicole Doougherty donated their time and services to help with the extreme haircuts. Cosmetology student Meghan Wysowski was available to apply green or orange hair extensions for those that no longer had hair or for those that wanted to show support without going bald.

Principal Fran Lizewski, who took a green hair extension, said that the school does monthly events to raise money for causes.

"We normally do monthly 'denim' days [where teachers bring in $5 or more to wear jeans] at the school. the money that we raise from that then goes to support a cause. For March, our cause is St. Baldrick's and this is a fun event to coincide with that," Lizewski said.

Fifth grade Medford Elementary School teacher Christopher Shaw has been participating as a shavee in the St. Baldrick's events for the past eight years.

"It started when one of my friends' brothers had cancer. We brought it to the school to get more kids involved in the event and to raise more awareness. " Shaw has helped coordinate the school's event since its beginning.

Fourth grader Brianna Rothar, who bravely shaved her head, summed up the feelings of her fellow shavees.

"Kids with cancer don't have a choice to be bald but I can [and did] make the choice to help them,” Rothar said.

Medford Elementary School has averaged raising between $5,000 and $7,000 each year. Those interested in helping the school exceed their goal, please donate here.

Check the for highlights from the event.