May 20, 2018
More than 100 people lined up at Fourth Street Live! to shave their heads in honor of children with cancer
It was a celebration of life Sunday afternoon at Fourth Street Live! as clippers were brought out and heads were shaved.More than 100 people lined up for the fifth annual Chili’s Clip for Kids event benefiting families of children with cancer through Norton’s Children Cancer Institute.
The event raises awareness to support search and services beyond treatment, such as end of chemotherapy parties, art therapy and music therapy.
“It’s just wonderful. It just shows them the solidarity that they have standing behind them in the community,” said event co-chair Michelle Lenz.
As the piles of hair grew, the smiles got bigger, and the stories more powerful.
William Santoro is a Penn State student who signed up for the bone marrow donor registry “Be the Match.” He was chosen to help save the life of 15-year-old Louisville resident Matthew Walker.
“To give just a young boy his life back, his family ... their boy back and to have them be [a] family and let him live his life, I can’t really put into words,” said Santoro, who flew in for the event.
Santoro now has a permanent message of support for Walker. “Blood brothers” is proudly tattooed on his arm.
Three years ago, Walker was diagnosed with blood cancer and had several relapsed during chemotherapy treatments.
Several people Sunday cut off hair they’ve had for years; wiping away tears with each cut of the scissors, and remembering those who battled various types of cancers.
Over the last four years the “Clip for kids” event has raised more than $325,000 for local families fighting cancer.
View video online here.