By: Katelyn Petty
The community is encouraged to join the City of Long Beach to raise awareness and “Go Gold” in September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to honor those diagnosed with childhood cancer.
With Long Beach police officer Amanda Branning’s son, Hendrix Longfellow, and other children battling cancer in mind, Long Beach Mayor George Bass will be shaving his head at the “Rock the Bald” event, planned for September 21 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Jones Park. The event is a fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which strives to raise money to support childhood cancer research.
Residents can show their support by donating to sponsor Bass’ effort, raising money, donating directly to St. Baldrick’s at www.StBaldricks.org, or even considering shaving their heads to bring awareness and show support to childhood cancer patients and their families.
This particular fundraiser honors one of Long Beach’s very own, Hendrix Longfellow, who suffers from a High-Grade Neuroepithelial ETMR Tumor of the CNS (Pontine) and was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer in July 2022.
All funds raised will help accelerate and improve diagnoses, discover better treatments, support children with cancer and their families, and provide hope for all children to survive cancer, celebrate every moment, live their best lives, and turn their dreams into reality.
