Locks Lost for a Good Cause

Clara Maass Medical Center physicians and Frank Femino, MD, and Stephen Ducey, MD, attended the 2011 St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraiser at Fitzgerald’s 1928 in Glen Ridge.  Luckily, for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Drs. Femino and Ducey have encouraged their kids to support the causes they believe in as well.  The reason why the four boys, (Femino’s sons Mark, Frank and Luke and Ducey’s son Stephen), showed up with full heads of hair on June 5, and left bald.

“We are affected by all areas of health care, whether it’s on a physician level or on a personal level,” said Dr. Femino, Medical Director of The Joint & Spine Institute at Clara Maass Medical Center. “Everyone knows someone who has dealt with or is dealing with a health concern—whether it is hip replacement surgery or cancer. In this case we were supporting cancer research and I am so proud of my sons and everyone who took the time to participate in this event.”

The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.

“It was truly outstanding to see how many people came to support this great and important cause,” said Dr. Ducey, Orthopedic Surgeon, Clara Maass Medical Center. “I was even able to take on a guest hairdressing role and shave off some of son’s hair.”

By the end of the event, many individuals (like the Femino and Ducey boys), cancer survivors and cancer patients had shed their locks in hopes to accomplish the same goal—raise awareness and funds to help find a cure for childhood cancer.

When asked why he chose to participate in this event, Frank Femino put it simply:  "I have some friends who were treated for cancer. I was happy to shave my head to show my support and help find a cure.”