Algonquin officers lose locks for local girl
Algonquin police officer Jim Sowizrol says a winter hat will be his favorite fashion accessory for the rest of winter now that his bald head is exposed to the elements.
Sowizrol was one of 23 Algonquin police officers who shaved their heads Saturday for the annual St Baldrick's Foundation fundraiser in Wauconda. About 50 people from East Dundee to Island Lake participated in the event, which was in honor of Wauconda Police Officer Eric Schultz, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer commonly found in adolescents and young adults.
The Algonquin contingent lost their locks in the name of Rachel Williams, a 6-year-old Algonquin girl undergoing treatment for leukemia.
The officers, members of Algonquin Police Benevolent, raised about $4,000 in the annual event that benefits the world's largest volunteer-based fundraising program for childhood cancer research.
"I'll be wearing a hat a little more often," said Sowizrol.
This was the second time Sowizrol has shaved his head for the cause. Last year, he lopped off his shoulder-length locks for St. Baldrick's and donated the hair to Locks of Love.
"Last year eight guys did it just to do it," said Det. John Bucci, president of Algonquin Police Benevolent. "We found Rachel's name and this year; we did it as a group. It is such a great cause and we want to do anything we can for childhood cancer research."
Between playing tag with her brother and a friend, and posing for photographs, Rachel said "thank you" to all of the officers involved. Barbara Williams, Rachel's mother, said the family is grateful because every dollar raised will benefit St Baldrick's, which has helped Rachel for the past two years with surgery and chemotherapy treatments.
"They are wonderful," Barbara Williams said of the volunteers. "Hopefully they will continue to spread the word because childhood cancer is in our backyard. More and more kids are being diagnosed."
Rachel, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2006, is in remission, but must still undergo checkups once a month, Barbara Williams said.