JFK student to shave head to help kids with cancer
By GuestBy Stanley Hurwitz
Orthodontists Dr. Robert Chavez and Dr. Andrew Chase offer their patients OrthoReward points toward prizes for doing good deeds in the community. But it’s not the points that drive most people to help others.
Griffin Lincoln
One of their patients at ARCH Orthodontics, Griffin Lincoln, a fourth grader at the Kennedy School in Canton, has been named an ARCH “Patient of the Quarter” for his community service. In the next few months, Lincoln plans to raise $3,000 to help kids beat cancer at Children’s Hospital Boston.
Perhaps the most daring and dramatic part of Lincoln’s fundraising plan is to participate in One Mission Kid’s Cancer Buzz-Off. In June, he’ll have his head shaved in a “buzz cut.” Last year 110 volunteers raised $140,000 through the Buzz-Off.
Lincoln’s not worried about giving up his hair and urges others to sponsor him or join him: “Sign up. It’s just hair. It will grow back, and you can help lots of kids by doing it.”
Lincoln developed an interest in fundraising after his grandfather was diagnosed with cancer.
“I used to go to Dana Farber with him for his treatments, and I couldn’t believe all the kids that go there for cancer, too,” he explained. “I knew how hard treatment was for my grandfather. I couldn’t believe kids had to do it, too. I wanted to help find a cure, so I had a bake sale for research. I raised $425.25 that I donated to a doctor doing research to cure neuroblastoma because I read in the paper about a little boy in Canton that had it and it made me sad.”
“Later I did a walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,” he added, “and this past Halloween I convinced my friends and classmates to donate their Halloween candy to the patients at Dana Farber’s Jimmy Fund — I collected 171 pounds. When I was asking friends for candy, a teammate told me about One Mission, and how he participated in the Buzz-Off last year. I told my mom to sign me up.”
Lincoln’s school friends and grownups were impressed with his plan: “Most grownups say they’re proud of me. “My friends think it’s cool and they want to help me fundraise. One friend said he didn’t know anyone my age who would shave their head to help others.”
Asked if he is nervous about having his hair cut off, Lincoln replied, “I have never buzzed my hair off before, but I’m more excited than nervous. It’s just hair; if I can raise a lot of money that helps just one kid, it’s all worth it.”
Lincoln plans to increase his fundraising with an Easter egg hunt, a bake sale after the Canton Little League parade in April, and a street hockey tournament. He’s also asking local businesses to display his collection cans.
His mother, Susan Molinari, thinks her son is extraordinary in some ways, but he is a lot like other 10 year olds.
“He loves to play hockey and baseball,” Molinari said. “His favorite book is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and his favorite movie is Despicable Me, Yogi Bear a close second. His favorite TV show is NHL Tonight and his favorite video game is NHL Slap-Shot.”
Dr. Chase has known Lincoln since his mother first brought him to the office at age 7 because of a cross bite.
“Griffin is a true team player, always compliant with our treatment, whether it was his palate expander or the lip bumper he now uses,” Chase said. “Soon he’ll be ready for braces, and his cooperation will help bring a perfect outcome.
“I love going to Arch,” Lincoln said. “Everyone is so nice. They make me feel special and they always have fun contests going on.”
When he grows up, Lincoln wants to follow in his dad’s footsteps and continue to help others. “I want to be a pharmaceutical rep like my dad,” he said, “because he likes it, it looks fun, and he gets to help lots of people by getting them medicines that they need to get better.”
It’s not the spotlight, extra points or contests from Arch Orthodontics that drive Lincoln. “It makes me feel really proud and good to help other people,” he said.
Lincoln’s personal fundraising page is www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/griffinlincoln/kidscancerbuzz-off/event. For more information about the program, visit onemission.org/buzzoff/index.html.
ARCH is the official orthodontist of Miss Massachusetts and its Scholarship Foundation. ARCH Orthodontics has offices in Stoughton, Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, Hyde Park, Randolph and Westwood, and two new offices on Cape Cod in Hyannis and Orleans. ARCH offers free initial consultation, including digital photos and panoral x-rays. For more info, visit www.archorthodontics.com or call 1-800-28-SMILE.
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