Annual Team Teddy St. Baldrick’s event raises money and awareness for pediatric cancer research
Team Teddy was named in honor of Teddy Gerber. In 2009, while a student at Osborn Hill, Teddy was diagnosed with undifferentiated sarcoma at just 8 years old. He died nine months later.
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The Fairfield community came together Friday to shave their heads for a good cause.
Team Teddy-Osborn Hill School hosted its 17th St. Baldrick’s event.
People can either sign up to have their heads shaved, sponsor someone or donate money.
Team Teddy was named in honor of Teddy Gerber.
In 2009, while a student at Osborn Hill, Teddy was diagnosed with undifferentiated sarcoma at just 8 years old. He died nine months later.
After he became sick, his parents held their first St. Baldrick's event and raised $100,000.
The event not only honors his memory, but raises awareness and money to find a cure for pediatric cancer.
Teddy's mom says participants show solidarity with children battling the disease.
"This is such a special event that it can make kids who are fighting cancer feel like they're not weird, or strange or different. Everyone is like them for a little bit. It's a great fun community event. You know you think of pediatric cancer, you think it's very sad and depressing and it is, but this is a great community building event," says Jessica Gerber.
Friday's event was the first one since the passing of Teddy's dad, Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber, who died from a brain tumor over the summer.
Since the event began in 2010, it has raised a total of $1.8 million.
