Norwich St. Baldrick's sets new record with $60,264 in donations
Shavees at the 2024 Norwich St. Baldrick's annual fundraiser at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich. The event included nine teams and a total of 40 shavees, and broke their fundraising record with $60,264.59 in donations. (Photos by Dustin Genter of 5th Dimension Photography)
NORWICH — The Norwich St. Baldrick's annual fundraiser has broken it's record by more than $5,000 with a 2024 fundraising total of $60,264.59.
"Before they turn 20, about one in every 263 children in the US will have cancer. In the US, childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children. Worldwide, a child is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes," said Co-Organizer Marissa Phelps.
"On top of that, many of the children that go through treatments for cancer experience a lot of side effects from the treatments that are just not appropriate for their tiny bodies. So we need to do better. We need to change those statistics, and that’s why we’re here today."
This year's event was held on Saturday, March 16, at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich, and included nine teams and 40 shavees, as well as several fundraising and event volunteers.
Master of ceremonies Brian Burton returned, and the event was supported by Barbers Sarah Curtis and Jessica Homer from Sarah's Hair Studio in West Burlington, volunteer photographer Dustin Genter of 5th Dimension Photography, as well as the Canasawacta Country Club, who donated the use of the venue.
In addition to the traditional head shaving of this year's participants, the 2024 St. Baldrick's fundraiser also honored two local children: Will "Willy" Linscott and Walker Robinson.
Will Linscott was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in June of 2016, at the age of 15. His AML was also associated with monosomy 7, a rare neoplastic disease characterized by bone marrow insufficiency with infancy to childhood onset.
Throughout his battle with cancer, Will underwent extensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments, as well as a bone marrow transplant. These treatments ultimately led him to remission.
Will's sister Hannah Linscott shared his story at Saturday's event.
"Although Will would now be in remission, his next part of treatment would lead him to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, also known as CHOP, where he would undergo several radiation therapy sessions followed by a bone marrow transplant," she said. "I, his sister, was very proud to be the match for Willy’s bone marrow transplant."
His treatment and bone marrow transplant were a success. However, side effects and complications brought on by treatment led to a lung transplant in 2017, and then another in 2019. On January 28, 2022, Will passed away surrounded by friends and family in his home.
"The St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s continuous fundraising and research for cancer we believe is set up to make a difference in the world. The donations for research into advanced medicines and alternatives we believe will one day have a positive outcome for a cure without side effects or complications for children like Willy," said Hannah. "Willy was actually a cancer survivor of just over five years before he passed away. Although his underlying disease of AML was the cause of his passing, he was actually cancer free and in complete remission."
Also honored at the fundraiser was one-year-old Walker Robinson, who was diagnosed with infantile fibrosarcoma in February of 2023, at just under three months old.
Walker's mother, Ashley Yale, shared his story. After his official diagnosis, she said their doctor told them about a new oral medication called Vitrakvi, which had been recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of infantile fibrosarcoma with a specific type of TRK fusion of cells. She and Walker's father, Jordan Robinson, opted to try this treatment instead of chemotherapy.
"Walker began taking an oral form of medication twice a day in the comfort of his own home. He was no immunocompromised, he could be around people, he could live a normal life. There were no side effects to the medication," Yale shared. "After one month of treatment, we could no longer physically feel the tumor. The first MRI following treatment showed a significant decrease in tumor size, and the next MRI before his first birthday showed signs that the tumor was completely eliminated."
As of January of this year, Walker's tumor had been officially eliminated and he was able to stop the medication.
"Without foundations like St. Baldrick’s funding children’s cancer research, there would be no such thing as Vitrakvi, which is why we will raise money for this event every year. We are so grateful to all who have donated to our fundraising efforts," said Yale. "Our dream is that every single form of childhood cancer, TRK fusions or not, can be treated by a form of oral medication at home, and that children can live a normal and happy life while undergoing treatment."
The families of both honored kids participated in the St. Baldrick's fundraiser this year, with the "Will's Fight" team raising $8,113, and Jordan Robinson winning an award for the top fundraiser with a total of $5,399 raised.
Additionally, Lincoln Burchill was recognized as the event's top youth fundraiser with over $3,192 raised.
The more than $60,000 raised will go to the St. Baldrick's Foundation to support their efforts in childhood cancer research.
"Through the foundation, $5,000 helps support four months of a lab technician doing a research project for childhood cancer. $10,000 helps to treat a child on a clinical trial, which is often the best hope for a cure," said Phelps. "$25,000 covers three months of research for a pediatric oncologist in training. We have more than two of those. How amazing is that?"
Several returning St. Baldrick's participants were also recognized at the fundraiser for their years of dedication to the cause, either as shavees, fundraisers, or volunteers.
Zack Meseck, Cameron Prime, Matt Roberts, Nick Mooney, Joy Miller, Carter Wentworth, and Marissa Phelps were recognized as "Squires of Hope" for three years of participation in St. Baldrick's. For seven years of participation, annual shavee Bruce Zimmer was recognized as a "Knight of the Bald Table," and ten-year participants Rob Kautz, Julie Wentworth, and Jamie Burchill were recognized as "Knight Commanders."
The Norwich St. Baldrick's 2024 fundraiser was supported by corporate sponsors New York Central Mutual, NBT Bank, NBT Insurance, Spence Curnalia Law Firm, Mirabito Energy Products, and Principle Design and Engineering.
For more information on the Norwich St. Baldrick's event, visit StBaldricks.org/events/norwich2024, the St. Baldrick's - Norwich, NY Facebook page, and the StBaldricksNorwich Instagram page, or contact the Norwich St. Baldrick's Committee at StBaldricksNorwich@gmail.com.
"Before they turn 20, about one in every 263 children in the US will have cancer. In the US, childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children. Worldwide, a child is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes," said Co-Organizer Marissa Phelps.
"On top of that, many of the children that go through treatments for cancer experience a lot of side effects from the treatments that are just not appropriate for their tiny bodies. So we need to do better. We need to change those statistics, and that’s why we’re here today."
This year's event was held on Saturday, March 16, at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich, and included nine teams and 40 shavees, as well as several fundraising and event volunteers.
Master of ceremonies Brian Burton returned, and the event was supported by Barbers Sarah Curtis and Jessica Homer from Sarah's Hair Studio in West Burlington, volunteer photographer Dustin Genter of 5th Dimension Photography, as well as the Canasawacta Country Club, who donated the use of the venue.
In addition to the traditional head shaving of this year's participants, the 2024 St. Baldrick's fundraiser also honored two local children: Will "Willy" Linscott and Walker Robinson.
Will Linscott was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in June of 2016, at the age of 15. His AML was also associated with monosomy 7, a rare neoplastic disease characterized by bone marrow insufficiency with infancy to childhood onset.
Throughout his battle with cancer, Will underwent extensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments, as well as a bone marrow transplant. These treatments ultimately led him to remission.
Will's sister Hannah Linscott shared his story at Saturday's event.
"Although Will would now be in remission, his next part of treatment would lead him to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, also known as CHOP, where he would undergo several radiation therapy sessions followed by a bone marrow transplant," she said. "I, his sister, was very proud to be the match for Willy’s bone marrow transplant."
His treatment and bone marrow transplant were a success. However, side effects and complications brought on by treatment led to a lung transplant in 2017, and then another in 2019. On January 28, 2022, Will passed away surrounded by friends and family in his home.
"The St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s continuous fundraising and research for cancer we believe is set up to make a difference in the world. The donations for research into advanced medicines and alternatives we believe will one day have a positive outcome for a cure without side effects or complications for children like Willy," said Hannah. "Willy was actually a cancer survivor of just over five years before he passed away. Although his underlying disease of AML was the cause of his passing, he was actually cancer free and in complete remission."
Also honored at the fundraiser was one-year-old Walker Robinson, who was diagnosed with infantile fibrosarcoma in February of 2023, at just under three months old.
Walker's mother, Ashley Yale, shared his story. After his official diagnosis, she said their doctor told them about a new oral medication called Vitrakvi, which had been recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of infantile fibrosarcoma with a specific type of TRK fusion of cells. She and Walker's father, Jordan Robinson, opted to try this treatment instead of chemotherapy.
"Walker began taking an oral form of medication twice a day in the comfort of his own home. He was no immunocompromised, he could be around people, he could live a normal life. There were no side effects to the medication," Yale shared. "After one month of treatment, we could no longer physically feel the tumor. The first MRI following treatment showed a significant decrease in tumor size, and the next MRI before his first birthday showed signs that the tumor was completely eliminated."
As of January of this year, Walker's tumor had been officially eliminated and he was able to stop the medication.
"Without foundations like St. Baldrick’s funding children’s cancer research, there would be no such thing as Vitrakvi, which is why we will raise money for this event every year. We are so grateful to all who have donated to our fundraising efforts," said Yale. "Our dream is that every single form of childhood cancer, TRK fusions or not, can be treated by a form of oral medication at home, and that children can live a normal and happy life while undergoing treatment."
The families of both honored kids participated in the St. Baldrick's fundraiser this year, with the "Will's Fight" team raising $8,113, and Jordan Robinson winning an award for the top fundraiser with a total of $5,399 raised.
Additionally, Lincoln Burchill was recognized as the event's top youth fundraiser with over $3,192 raised.
The more than $60,000 raised will go to the St. Baldrick's Foundation to support their efforts in childhood cancer research.
"Through the foundation, $5,000 helps support four months of a lab technician doing a research project for childhood cancer. $10,000 helps to treat a child on a clinical trial, which is often the best hope for a cure," said Phelps. "$25,000 covers three months of research for a pediatric oncologist in training. We have more than two of those. How amazing is that?"
Several returning St. Baldrick's participants were also recognized at the fundraiser for their years of dedication to the cause, either as shavees, fundraisers, or volunteers.
Zack Meseck, Cameron Prime, Matt Roberts, Nick Mooney, Joy Miller, Carter Wentworth, and Marissa Phelps were recognized as "Squires of Hope" for three years of participation in St. Baldrick's. For seven years of participation, annual shavee Bruce Zimmer was recognized as a "Knight of the Bald Table," and ten-year participants Rob Kautz, Julie Wentworth, and Jamie Burchill were recognized as "Knight Commanders."
The Norwich St. Baldrick's 2024 fundraiser was supported by corporate sponsors New York Central Mutual, NBT Bank, NBT Insurance, Spence Curnalia Law Firm, Mirabito Energy Products, and Principle Design and Engineering.
For more information on the Norwich St. Baldrick's event, visit StBaldricks.org/events/norwich2024, the St. Baldrick's - Norwich, NY Facebook page, and the StBaldricksNorwich Instagram page, or contact the Norwich St. Baldrick's Committee at StBaldricksNorwich@gmail.com.
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