St. Baldrick’s event to be held at new Westmont location

WESTMONT – This March many residents will leave one Westmont restaurant with hairless heads in an effort to raise money to fight pediatric cancer.

For the third consecutive year, an event will be held in Westmont to benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit that funds childhood cancer research. It will take place from noon to 5 p.m. March 15 at a new location, Papa Passero’s Family Restaurant, 6326 S. Cass Ave.

Westmont resident Stacey Ledwon, who has organized the previous Westmont events, will again host and organize this year with the help of two co-organizers, she said.

“It’s an event you just have to experience,” Ledwon said. “It’s somber, yet people are having fun since they know it’s a great cause. All of our friends, family and the town come out to raise money and it’s incredible.”

Ledwon said during the event, participants ask for donations and have their heads shaved in solidarity with children who have lost their hair to cancer treatment.

“It’s all or nothing,” she said. “There are no crew cuts or haircuts; it’s the lowest number on the razor.”

Employees of Karma Salon-Spa in Westmont will volunteer to lend their services. Corey Romanoff, Karma employee and lead barber for the event, said she and five others from the salon will provide shaving. She became aware of the event when Ledwon, who has been her client more than five years, requested her participation during its first year.

“We love it and want to continue doing it,” Romanoff said. “I love seeing how many people come to the event in support of St. Baldrick’s and how many people put all their energy into helping kids with cancer.”

Along with head shaving, Ledwon said the event will feature a silent auction, raffle and mystery bags, which cost $5 and include an instant prize. Raffle and silent auction prizes include gift certificates from local Westmont businesses, such as Papa Passero’s, Bishop’s Famous Chili, Walsh’s Bar & Grill, Westmont Park District, King Car Wash and Karma.

During the past two years, Ledwon said the St. Baldrick’s event has raised more than $70,000. This year she hopes to generate enough to push the total above $100,000.

Ledwon became aware of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation after her daughter, Lindsey, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer in 2004.

“We found out about how much money was being put toward other cancers compared to pediatric cancer,” Ledwon said. “Our eyes were then opened up to the organization St. Baldrick’s and how all the money they collect goes toward pediatric cancer research.”

Although Lindsey died in 2008, the Ledwon family poured their energy into helping others through the organization, which Ledwon said has helped provide a higher chance of survival to children now diagnosed with the same cancer as her daughter.

“Even after we lost her, we stayed more passionate about [helping others] because it is our way of continuing to honor her,” Ledwon said.

This year’s St. Baldrick’s event was moved from its previous location at J. Fleming’s Absolutely Delicious in Westmont to accommodate the growing number of attendees, Ledwon said. Although she was disappointed to have to move the event, as she praised the accommodating nature of restaurant owner John Fleming, she said she looks forward to working with Papa Passero’s owner Laura Trilla.

Trilla echoed this sentiment, and said she did not hesitate when asked to host the event.

“I was honored,” Trilla said. “We are looking for a fun day and for everyone to come out for a good cause.”

Trilla said the restaurant’s Sunday brunch – which features more than 25 items, including scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pizza, pastas, desserts, soups, chili and salads – will be available for $9.99 per adult and $6.99 per child 10 and under. A 14-inch roasted vegetable pizza will also be available for $10, along with several drink specials.

To Ledwon, the day of the event is bittersweet each year, and she offered advice for parents of children with cancer.

“Take it one day at a time and never give up hope,” she said. “Things looked dismal for us, but we did not give up hope until the day [Lindsey] died. We always felt like there was a chance she was going to pull through.”

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If you go

What: St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraiser

When: Noon to 5 p.m. March 15

Where: Papa Passero’s Family Restaurant, 6326 S. Cass Ave.

Information: Contact Stacey Ledwon at 630-936-8537 or slledwon@gmail.com.