McGorey's Fundraiser Honors Cancer Stricken First-Grader

Dozens of people had their heads shaved for a good cause at Johnny McGorey’s Irish Pub in Massapequa this past Saturday during a childhood cancer fundraiser for a  student who battled a brain tumor at a young age. 

The Massapequa restaurant hosted a St. Baldrick's Day fundraiser event that honored Colin Conaty, a 6-year old first grader at the Seaford school who was diagnosed just before his second birthday. Collin, who lives in Massapequa, had to undergo countless tests, chemotherapy and daily radiation but has been healthy of late with 2012 marking his fifth year being cancer-free.

He was excited to be at the fundraiser for St. Baldrick's, a non-profit group that has focused on raising money for childhood cancer research primarily through head-shaving events.

When asked what his favorite part of the event was he answered, “the raffles but I’m a lot more excited for the shaving.”

Johnny McGorey’s has hosted an annual St. Baldrick's fundraiser the past five years. 

"Even though it’s in a pub it is still a family-oriented event,” said Rich Griffin, who co-organized the event with Gail Tomczyk, and also had his head shaved by Colin some friends to kick off the festivities.  

“I feel so blessed to be here today” said Colin's mother Patricia Conaty right before they started the shaving. 

There were about 40 people who were signed up to shave their heads. Students from a cosmetology program at a Nassau BOCES in Levittown conducted the head shavings.

At the event, there were 20 hand-knitted hats donated by the Farmingdale High School knitting club that were given to participants after their heads were shaved.

For further information on St. Baldrick's, log onto the organization's website.