All for Logan: St. Baldrick's Charity Event

A year ago this month, Hamden resident Robin Raiano shaved her head in support of children battling cancer.

And in two weeks, she'll do it again.

Her motivation -- a little boy with a winning smile and an equally winning personality. Her son, Logan.

Logan Solomon, who will turn five this summer, has had his share of struggles in his young life. Born with Down's Syndrome, Logan was diagnosed with leukemia a year and a half ago and is now going through monthly chemotherapy treatments. It will be two years before the treatments end, Raiano said.

He's also had his adenoids and tonsils removed, and had three ports and two sets of air tubes implanted in his body. He's lost his hair twice from the chemo, and he'll sleep for days after taking a treatment.

It all started in the fall of 2010 when she notice Logan had a rash, Raiano said. When she took him to the doctor, she knew the news wouldn't be good when she told her to sit down.

Logan then spent the next six days in the hospital, and after he returned home he got an infection that led to another 18-day stay. 

"Since then, I can't keep track of all the times he's been in the hospital," she said. "It's been a tough year and a half."

But when you meet him, he shows no signs of the struggles he's been forced to endure. He's quick to shake your hand and show you his toys. He attends school four days a week at Alice Peck. And it's clear he loves his mom.

"He's doing really, really well," Raiano said. "He's lucky."

Last November, Logan had the time of his life at Disneyland in Florida thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation, Raiano said. "It was awesome," she said, and Logan loved it. "He still looks at the scrap books."

Last year was also the first year she took part in a St. Baldrick's event, Raiano said, and she will again this year on March 31 at O'Tooles Irish Pub, 157 Orange St. in New Haven.

St. Baldrick's Foundation "is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancer and give survivors long and healthy lives," according to its website. It sponsors events across the country where volunteers shave their heads in exchange for donations to the charity.

In 2011 the foundation raised more than $28 million, with 40,082 men and 5,269 women having their heads shaved. So far this year, more than $16 million has been raised by 34,170 men and 4,867 women.

Last year, "Team Logan" had 25 members who had their heads shaved, raising $14,000, Raiano said. This year, the number of team members so far stands at 15, including two women, and they have raised almost $2,800. But there's still time for anyone interested in volunteering or wanting to contribute, Raiano said.

On March 6, students at , raising $38,000. Many participated in honor of Logan, who attended the event.

To make a donation or to join Team Logan and get your head shaved, visit Team Logan's webpage at http://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/74249/2012 or Raiano's page at http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/509966/2012.