The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Saybrook High funds fights against pediatric cancer
Childhood cancer survivor coordinates a trio of events
OLD SAYBROOK — Luke Duffy was too young to remember much of the community support after being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at 18 months old, but knew the town helped his family through a tough time.
“I want to pull that community back in,” he said, “because I know they’ve done it once, and I know they’ll do it again.”
The high school junior and cancer survivor has coordinated a trio of fundraising events taking place Oct. 13 and 21, under the name of “Lose Your Locks with Luke.”
“I’m just raising funds and awareness for Camp Rising Sun and pediatric cancer, that’s my main goal,” Duffy said while at Old Saybrook High School, taking a break from his classes to elaborate on the fundraiser.
While receiving treatments very early in his childhood, the town held bingo nights, cancer walks, and placed tin cans for monetary donations to support him, he said. He still has one of the cans in his room, complete with an image of his face enlarged on the side.
“Luke’s Light is what we called it,” Duffy said of the aid on his behalf.
Camp Rising Sun, the fundraiser’s beneficiary, is a nonprofit organization that provides a week of activities for children ages 5-17 who have been diagnosed with cancer. The camp takes place in late August at Camp Jewell in Colebrook, Conn.
“It’s a simple, normal camp,” said Melissa Pandolfi. “We have archery, zip lines, we have a water slide there, so all these kids get to do what normal kids get to do. And our thing that we say is there’s no ‘I can’t.’ ”
Pandolfi is Camp Rising Sun’s outreach coordinator. She transitioned to a full time job there more than a year ago after being a long-time volunteer camp counselor.
About one-third of counselors are former campers, Pandolfi included, who attended twice while still in the camp’s age range. The experience impacted her greatly, she said, despite it only being two weeks out of her life.
“I thought it was a very worthwhile organization that I wanted to give back to,” Pandolfi said.
She even became Duffy’s counselor at the camp, beginning when he was seven-years-old.
“I’ve been going for nine years,” Duffy said, “and it’s just a true home away from home for everyone that goes there. No one is sad, no one is down on themselves.”
Both Duffy and Pandolfi described a strong bond generated in camp among survivors, and how campers and counselors essentially become a second family.
But part of what makes the camp so appealing leads to a high return rate, which necessitates more funding. Around 130 children participated in this year’s camp, Pandolfi said, and they have seen increases of up to 20 kids each year.
“The camp is free for the kids to attend,” she said, adding that the cost per child is close to $1,500. “It’s solely run on donations and benefactors that we have in our organization.”
Duffy’s title event is the head shave to “Buzz Off Childhood Cancer” at Old Saybrook High School on Oct. 21, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Donors who raise $100 will either get their head shaved or have eight inches removed by local haircutter Mike the Barber. A $10 admission will cover food, music, and activities.
Hair loss is a side effect of chemotherapy, and shaving one’s hair has traditionally been an expression of solidarity.
“Shaving your head gives them support,” Duffy said, “and to show them that we’re all in this together. It’s a hard time for a lot of these kids.”
Also on Oct 21, one mile down the Boston Post Road, the Parthenon Diner will host a breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., in which a percentage of the profit will go towards “Lose Your Locks with Luke.” Available raffle prizes that morning are footballs and a poster signed by NFL quarterback Joe Flacco.
Rounding out the three fundraisers is the Hartford Wolfpack’s Oct. 13 game against the Toronto Marlies. Purchasing the $15 tickets online at https://groupmatics.events/event/loseyourlocksforlukeHWP will donate $5 of each sale to Camp Rising Sun.
Duffy will honor a fellow camper at the head shave, even if his friend is not well enough to appear as planned. Both he and Pandolfi urged people to search online for “Miracles for Marik” to learn the young man’s story before the event.
He also said he wanted to grow the event in subsequent years, and had his sights on being a counselor at Camp Rising Sun.
“I just want to give back to the other kids and hopefully impact them how the counselors impacted me,” Duffy said. “Definitely the coolest counselors that I ever had.”
Taking her cue, Melissa said, “Thanks.”
Duffy created a website with further information, https://loseyourlockswithluke.wordpress.com, as well as a donation page on for supporters who may not be able to participate in the events, https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/team/loseyour-locks-with-luke/lucianoduffy.