Roxbury Community Unites to Raise Nearly $200,000 for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month

ROXBURY, NJ (March 27, 2026) – March has officially been recognized as Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month in Roxbury, and the local school community has responded with record-breaking generosity. Through three major student-led events—Roxbury High School’s Rox-THON and the St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events at Kennedy and Lincoln/Roosevelt Schools—the community collectively raised nearly $200,000 this year to support families and research.

This year’s efforts carried a profound weight, as four children within the Roxbury school district are currently battling childhood cancers. The community rallied under the banner of #RoxStrong to show solidarity with these families.

Rox-THON Shatters Records

Roxbury High School kicked off the month on March 6th with its annual all-night dance marathon. More than 500 students committed to a "no sitting, no sleeping" overnight event, raising a record-breaking $151,000. This brings the event's lifetime fundraising total to an astounding $800,000.

Proceeds from Rox-THON are split between Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown (70%) and pediatric cancer research through Four Diamonds at Penn State Children’s Hospital (30%).

"This year we didn’t focus solely on money; we wanted to integrate our families more because that’s what truly matters," said Addison Christian, Vice President of Rox-THON, during the Board of Education Meeting on March 23rd. "Unfortunately, Roxbury was heavily impacted this year with four local families receiving diagnoses. We wanted to support them in every way we could… from bringing them to our meetings to gifting them essentials like DoorDash and Amazon gift cards to help during hospital stays."

Kennedy Elementary Goes Gold and Green

On March 17th, Kennedy Elementary School hosted its St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event. Organized by Heidi Bagonis and Jenn Perhacs, over 20 participants shaved their heads or trimmed their hair, raising more than $26,000.

The event featured a visit from a "leprechaun" (Steve Alford of the Roxbury Rotary), and Kennedy’s Early Act held a “2-for-1” fundraiser, where students paid a $1 to take photos with the leprechaun and another $1 to add their names to shamrocks that lined the school halls. The school also sold “Team Gianna” t-shirts to support a fellow student currently in treatment. 

Lincoln/Roosevelt Wraps Up the Month

Lincoln/Roosevelt (LRS) concluded the month on March 27th with a high-energy St. Baldrick’s event. Led into the gymnasium by the stirring bagpipes of Keith Wood, 40 students, staff, and family members shaved their heads.

The LRS event was particularly poignant as students rallied around a classmate currently battling cancer, chanting, “Johnny, Johnny”. A highlight of the event was when Johnny, a fellow student, took the microphone to share words of encouragement and solidarity that moved the crowd.

The spirit of "Roxbury helping Roxbury" was further exemplified by LRS teacher Susanna Kislik-Rodgers. Joined by three of her family members, she shaved her head to honor her nephew, a Roxbury High School student also currently fighting the disease.

The school’s competitive spirit was also put to the test with the "Coins for a Cause" contest. Students filled boxes with spare change, with the total weight determining whether Principal Ryan Bartol or Vice Principal Dr. Chris Zegar would have to shave their heads. In a dramatic "tie" finish, the school raised enough to send both administrators to the barber’s chair.

This year’s LRS event raised over $20,000, pushing their lifetime fundraising total past $355,000.

A Community Effort

These milestones were made possible by the "time, talent, and hair" donated by the Roxbury community. The district extends a special thank you to the families, volunteers, local barbers, and student leaders who proved that when the community stands together, they are truly #RoxStrong.

PHOTO ATTACHED (courtesy of Roxbury Schools)

• RHS Rox-THON Reveal 2026
• KES St Baldricks Team Gianna
• KES St Baldricks Group Photo
• RCS St Baldricks Team with Steve Alford
• LRS St Baldricks Johnny Sibbald and Mr. McDermott
• LRS St Baldricks LRS Teacher Susanna Kislik-Rodgers get her head shaved
• LRS St Baldricks LRS Teacher Susanna Kislik-Rodgers and her family
• LRS St Baldricks Principal Ryan Bartol, PE Teacher and St Baldrick’s Organizer Jim McDermott, and Vice Principal Dr. Chris Zegar
• LRS St Baldricks Group Photo

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