Ciattarelli will have head shaved for childhood cancer research

SOMERVILLE, N.J. – Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli is due for a haircut, and he’ll do that and more when he has his head shaved to fight childhood cancer on Sept. 24.

For the fourth year in a row, Ciattarelli will help raise awareness for juvenile cancer research at the St. Baldrick’s head shaving event with the Sergeantsville Volunteer Fire Company.

“It is a heart-breaking statistic, but every two minutes another family hears the life-changing news that their child has cancer,” said Ciattarelli (R-Somerset). “Each year, more than 300,000 children worldwide have their world turned upside down by a cancer diagnosis and find themselves literally fighting for their lives.”

The Sergeantsville event has raised more than $220,000 in five years. Ciattarelli is part of the Rays of Hope team of volunteers dedicated to preserving the memory of 8-year-old Rayanna Marrero who lost her battle with cancer five years ago.

“Kids with cancer need our help,” said Ciattarelli. “Only four percent of federal cancer funding is dedicated to childhood research, and in the last 20 years, only three new drugs have been developed to treat kids with cancer. With grants to the most promising researchers in the field, the goal is to improve detection and treatment options, and to help save young lives.”

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation held the first head-shaving fundraiser in 2000, and more than 1,000 events are scheduled this year. The foundation has provided more than $25 million in grants for childhood cancer research.