Daniele Santucci has faced many challenges in her short life. She has dealt with cerebral palsy, a disease of the nervous system, since birth. And not long after her sixth birthday, she was diagnosed with liver cancer. Santucci is a kindergartner at Komarek School in North Riverside.
Since her diagnosis, there has been an outpouring of support from the community. On Wednesday, December 19th, Komarek held a fundraiser at their school called Dreams for Daniele. Through this event, students, staff, and community members raised money for Daniele by shaving their heads or cutting their hair. RB now plans to host a similar fundraiser this spring.
In the past, RB had held fundraisers for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Locks of Love. The school hosted all-school assemblies, where students and staff had the opportunity to shave their heads or cut their hair with their friends and teachers watching. Though there was no St. Baldrick’s Day last year, the Student Association decided to adapt that which was done previously to something more locally meaningful to the RB community. The proceeds will be going to the Santucci family to help pay for Daniele’s medical bills. Any hair donated will go to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, a charity that makes wigs for patients who have lost their hair as a result of chemotherapy. Bracelets and t-shirts will also be sold.
The SA Executive Board decided to sponsor this event in part because of the success of St. Baldrick’s Day in the past. SA also views this as a great opportunity to raise school spirit and unite the staff and student body. There will also be a Spirit Week in addition to having an assembly.
This event will take place on Tuesday, March 19th, in the Main Gym. SA encourages all students to contribute by shaving their heads, cutting their hair, buying a bracelet or t-shirt or by simply donating money. Students who cut their hair must donate a minimum of 8 inches. Sign-ups will take place from February 6th through February 8th, before and after school by the commons area and the old main entrance. Students who cannot shave their heads or donate their hair can also get involved by joining a committee on Student Association. The next meeting is Wednesday, January 23rd at 7:20 am in room 130.
Sponsor’s Note: Staff reporter Emily Filec is also the Student Association President.
