Shave-A-Thon Held To Celebrate Student In Remission, Fight Cancer

SHIRLEY, NY — A group of caring adults — and one brave student currently in remission —shaved their heads recently to help wage the battle against childhood cancers.

Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School recently hosted its second St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser, "a fun event" to help raise money in support of research and finding cures, the district said.

The event, like the first two years earlier, was spearheaded by fifth-grade teacher Jonathan Germer, and held to celebrate student Frankie Mattera, who was diagnosed with cancer approximately five years ago and is currently in remission, the district said.

Frankie agreed to have his head shaved again along with Germer and school psychologist Bob DeSantis, teachers Christopher Miranda, Chris Mocera and Michael Murphy, custodian Mike Schiavone, Brian Caffrey, husband of teacher Elizabeth Caffrey, and Suffolk County Police Department's 7th Precinct Officer Chris Sanchez.

Thanks to the generous support of the Nathaniel Woodhull family and William Floyd school community, the effort has so far raised more than $1,600, the district said — and the fundraising page will remain open. The event held two years ago raised more than $4,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

(William Floyd School District)

The district thanked to Anthony Montanez and William Floyd High School Barbering Academy students Jy’air Bailey, Josh Herrera, Tavian McCarron and Brandan Reising, who shaved the heads of the nine volunteers. Reising also had the opportunity to shave his former elementary school teacher, Mr. Murphy.