A show of support

Friends shave their heads to show solidarity and raise money for cancer patients

By: Stephanie Prokop
   BORDENTOWN CITY — Hair on the head will always grow back.
   But having the opportunity to shave it all off for the benefit of breast cancer patients is something that doesn’t come around very often.
   On Friday, at 4:30 p.m., Jeff Szur, the proprietor of the Park Street Café, will be shaving his head to support fellow Park Street Café employee Heather Cheesman, 35, who was diagnosed with breast cancer three months ago.
   Mr. Szur said that if Ms. Cheesman, who lives in Bordentown City, is up to the task, she will be the one shaving his head.
   In addition to taking donations to support the event, Mr. Szur is willing to donate 10 percent of his restaurant’s sales on Friday to the cause.
   "So far, we have over $700, and that’s not including the money that we will raise that day," he said.
   Ms. Cheesman was intent on donating the money to an organization that would use the funds to directly help people with cancer. She decided on donating the money to the Cancer Institute of New Jersey at Hamilton, with the funds specifically going to its Social Workers Fund, which helps financially destitute cancer patients by providing them with food, clothing, wigs and cab fare to get them to their treatments.
   Ms. Cheesman and Mr. Szur are expecting a representative from the Social Workers Fund to attend Friday.
   "It’s really whatever you can give," Mr. Szur said about how much people are willing to donate, "if people come in here and give a dollar that helps."
   Mr. Szur also stated that although there are other cafés and eateries in town, the restaurant community is coming together rather than being competitors when it comes to supporting a cause it feels so strongly about, posting advertisements about the fundraiser in their own establishments.
   "We really believe in being involved in the community of Bordentown City," he said. "This is a great opportunity to help the overall cause and raise awareness."
   Even as Mr. Szur prepares to shave his head, several women in town have already done the same.
   Bobbie Taylor, a Bordentown City resident and server at the café, along with Ms. Cheesman’s mother, have also shaved their heads to support Heather.
   "This really is the least we can do," Ms. Taylor said proudly showing off her stubble, "what she (Heather) is going through is the difficult stuff."
   After Ms. takes the first few snips of Mr. Szur’s hair, a stylist from Joanne’s Hair Creations will finish up the job.
   The Park Street Café’s address is 15 Park St. in Bordentown City. If interested in donating, contact Jeff Szur at (609) 298-1523.