City of Fort Myers mayor to have head shaved by pediatric cancer patient

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Sept. 17, 2019 - PRLog -- As part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, City of Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson will have his head shaved by Sarai, a six-year-old pediatric cancer patient at Golisano Children's Hospital, at the second annual Clips for Cancer event Friday, Sept. 27.

Sarai was an active, energetic 5-year-old, always smiling. On Thanksgiving Day 2018, she was playing with her family. Everything changed the next day when Sarai woke up and complained of a tummy ache. She wouldn't let her mom touch her belly, and by that evening, Sarai spiked a fever. Sarai's parents took her to the emergency room with a bloated abdomen. Doctors thought it could be a twisted intestine and ordered surgery at Golisano Children's Hospital. During surgery, the doctor removed a tumor near her bladder. The diagnosis was cancer, stage 4. Treatment began immediately.

"She is stronger than I am," says her mom, Adela. "I don't know what we'd do without Golisano. We are family here. All the doctors and nurses know Sarai - and all love her. They've done everything and more to help us."

"When our children are suffering from this wretched disease called cancer, we are compelled to rally for them and with them any way possible," commented Henderson. "We know they can fight it off with our help and encouragement when combined with modern medical advances. Let's all join to embrace this challenge with and for our children."

Golisano Children's Hospital's Armando Llechu, alongside dozens of doctors and team members, community leaders and influential individuals from Southwest Florida, will have their heads shaved by pediatric cancer patients during Clips for Cancer.

To raise awareness and drive philanthropic support that will help local children with cancer, these "hero sidekicks" are asking the community to come together and make donations to Barbara's Friends, supporting lifesaving cancer care for children across Southwest Florida at Golisano Children's Hospital. The Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Program is the only program of its kind in Southwest Florida, and no child is denied treatment or turned away as a result of their family's inability to pay for care.

"The children truly are the real heroes, the 'sidekicks' provide encouragement during a time when our heroes need all the help they can get to battle this evil disease," expressed Llechu. "It's heartwarming to see this level of support once again for the brave children during their battle with cancer. Through this head-shaving event, we can show these children that bald is beautiful, bald is strong and no matter what, we are fighting alongside them. While we may never have the strength they do, we are with them on their journey."

For more information, go to www.LeeHealthFoundation.org/ClipsForCancer.