St. John’s Community Braves the Shave in St. Baldrick’s Day Cancer Care Fundraiser

The St. John’s University community stepped up to the plate—the barber’s chair, more accurately—in support of pediatric cancer care on March 9.

The D’Angelo Center living room was filled to capacity from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. as 25 representatives of St. John’s, including a host of students, had their heads shaved or hair cut as part of a St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser on the Queens, NY, campus. Established in 1999 in part by alumnus and Board of Governors member John R. Bender ’86SVC, ’88CBA, 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.

“It is great to see St. Baldrick’s back at its ‘alma mater,’ and we are proud to carry on the legacy of John Bender’s good deed that first took hold over 25 years ago,” said Jack Flynn, Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Student Conduct, and haircut volunteer. “The first time I shaved my head, it was in support of a friend whose child was diagnosed with leukemia. 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’s is doing to improve outcomes for children with cancer.”

This event, hosted by the University’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life; Student Government, Inc.; and the Office of Student Conduct, 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.

“Our goal was to stand with all kids who have cancer and who lose their hair during treatment,” said Salvatore Martucci, a junior sport management major and Vice President of the St. John’s chapter of the fraternity Sigma Pi. “Cancer, especially childhood cancer, is one of those horrible things where everyone knows someone who has it or has had it.”   

Salvatore, the event’s leading individual fundraiser, was joined at the twin barber chairs by Joseph Kinsella, a sophomore accounting 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.

“This hits home,” Joseph said. “We 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.”    

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

“‘Mighty Madison’ battled with DIPG for 32 months,” said Nicole Torres, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Office of Student Life. “When we say St. John’s is ‘Faithful to the Mission,’ it is evident in how we come together for events like St. Baldrick’s. It makes me proud to be a part of this community.”

The energy was palpable inside the D’Angelo Center. Students and other haircut volunteers were greeted by music courtesy of Ezekiel Akinyemi ’08TCB, aka DJ Zeke, and food supplied by Gino’s Pizzeria and Restaurant of Bayside, NY.

Students could register in advance or walk in for cuts by Bespoke Blades of Brooklyn, NY, whose barbers volunteered their services. “It does not cost you anything to be a good person and contribute to a good cause,” barber Manny Keith said. “We have all been touched by cancer.”

Any member of the St. John’s community, including alumni, faculty, administration, and staff, could have a seat in a barber’s chair. Several volunteers, like Joseph and Salvatore, went for the full buzz cut. Others, including Blanca Moreno ’25SJC, opted to trim just a few locks.

Either way, the St. John’s community rallied around a cause that has impacted so many. “An event like this raises awareness,” Blanca said. “There is so much excitement here, and the money raised legitimately helps children.”