{"id":160510,"date":"2026-03-11T17:06:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/160510\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T17:06:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:06:08","slug":"st-johns-community-braves-the-shave-in-st-baldricks-day-cancer-care-fundraiser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/160510\/","title":{"rendered":"St. John\u2019s Community Braves the Shave in St. Baldrick\u2019s Day Cancer Care Fundraiser"},"content":{"rendered":"

March 11, 2026<\/p>\n

The St. John\u2019s University community stepped up to the plate\u2014the barber\u2019s chair, more accurately\u2014in support of pediatric cancer care on March 9.<\/p>\n

The D\u2019Angelo Center<\/a> living room was filled to capacity from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. as 25 representatives of St. John\u2019s, including a host of students, had their heads shaved or hair cut as part of a St.\u00a0Baldrick\u2019s Foundation<\/a> fundraiser on the Queens<\/a>, NY, campus. Established in 1999 in part by alumnus and Board of Governors member John R. Bender \u201986SVC, \u201988CBA<\/a>, Chairman Reinsurance & Risk Management, Member of the Executive Board, Allied World Assurance Co., the foundation is the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants in the nation. Its fundraising and awareness efforts ensure that children diagnosed with cancer have access to improved treatment options.<\/p>\n

\"ManJack Flynn, Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Student Conduct<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is great to see St. Baldrick\u2019s back at its \u2018alma\u00a0mater,\u2019 and we are proud to carry on the legacy of John Bender\u2019s good deed that first took hold over 25 years ago,\u201d said Jack Flynn, Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Student Conduct, and haircut volunteer. \u201cThe first time I shaved my head, it was in support of a friend whose child was diagnosed with\u00a0leukemia. She is alive and thriving today. Now, when I participate in these events, I do so because I want to be a visible reminder of the work St. Baldrick\u2019s is doing to improve outcomes for children with\u00a0cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n

This event, hosted by\u00a0the University\u2019s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life<\/a>; Student Government, Inc.<\/a>; and the\u00a0Office of Student Conduct<\/a>, had raised more than $12,700 by the time of the final haircut; with fundraising continuing past the conclusion of the event, the University was on its way toward meeting a goal of $20,000.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal was to stand with all kids who have cancer and who lose their hair during treatment,\u201d said Salvatore Martucci, a junior sport management<\/a> major and Vice President of the St. John\u2019s chapter of the fraternity Sigma Pi<\/a>. \u201cCancer, especially childhood cancer, is one of those horrible things where everyone knows someone who has it or has had it.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Salvatore, the event\u2019s leading individual fundraiser, was joined at the twin barber chairs by Joseph Kinsella, a sophomore accounting<\/a> major and Sigma Pi treasurer. Together, they shed their full crop of hair in solidarity with pediatric cancer patients everywhere. Joseph was especially eager to participate, knowing that he is not much older than many of the beneficiaries.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis hits home,\u201d Joseph said. \u201cWe are young men ourselves, and seeing young people endure cancer is awful. This effort speaks to the mission and values of our fraternity and our University at large.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

St. John\u2019s hosted its first St. Baldrick\u2019s Day fundraiser in 2010. In the years since, it has raised more than $175,000 for the foundation. This year\u2019s event was a tribute to Madison Milio<\/a> of Massapequa, NY, who lost her battle to a pediatric brain cancer in 2021 at age nine. \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Mighty Madison\u2019 battled with DIPG<\/a> for 32 months,\u201d said Nicole Torres, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Office of Student Life. \u201cWhen we say St. John\u2019s is \u2018Faithful to the Mission,\u2019 it\u00a0is evident in how we come together for events like St. Baldrick\u2019s. It makes me proud to be a part of this community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The energy was palpable inside the D\u2019Angelo Center. Students and other haircut volunteers were greeted by music courtesy of Ezekiel Akinyemi \u201908TCB, aka DJ Zeke<\/a>, and food supplied by Gino\u2019s Pizzeria and Restaurant<\/a> of Bayside, NY.<\/p>\n

Students could register in advance or walk in for cuts by Bespoke Blades<\/a> of Brooklyn, NY, whose barbers volunteered their services. \u201cIt does not cost you anything to be a good person and contribute to a good cause,\u201d barber Manny Keith said. \u201cWe have all been touched by cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Any member of the St. John\u2019s community, including alumni<\/a>, faculty<\/a>, administration, and staff, could have a seat in a barber\u2019s chair. Several volunteers, like Joseph and Salvatore, went for the full buzz cut. Others, including Blanca Moreno \u201925SJC, opted to trim just a few locks.<\/p>\n

\"Student<\/p>\n

Either way, the St. John\u2019s community rallied around a cause that has impacted so many. \u201cAn event like this raises awareness,\u201d Blanca said. \u201cThere is so much excitement here, and the money raised legitimately helps children.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n

Watch a video of St. Baldrick’s Day at St. John’s