Medford Basketball, Barbers Help Boy Battling Cancer

Story Updated 6:34AM Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Medford Basketball recently teamed up with Erik’s Barber Shop in Melrose to help Jacob Berenger and his family.

Jacob, 4, is courageously battling stomach cancer and his brother Stephen and sister Amanda, currently at Medford High, played in the Medford Basketball program.

Erik’s Barber Shop donated all proceeds from hair cut between 12pm and 4pm on Sunday, November 14, to help the Berenger family. Owner Erik Savoia opened up his barber shop on a Sunday and himself and several other barbers donated their time.

“It was a very generous gesture,” said Bob McCarthy, Director of Medford Basketball. “We had a lot of families from the program go in and get hair cuts.”

The fundraiser also received a large donation from the Medford Rotary Club.

Medford Basketball also has a donation jug that will be at all of the Medford home games until Christmas for anyone that would like to help. Donations can also be sent to Friends of Medford Basketball, 15 Laird Road, Medford, MA 02155 payable to Joanne Berenger.

Coaches Bob McCarthy and Andrew Polverelli with MHS freshman Miranda Arena (left). The coaches get their hair cut for the fundraising event (center, right).

Coaches Bob McCarthy, Andrew Polverelli, and Jim Donlon with barber shop owner Erik Savoia and Medford basketball players Jim Donlon, Corey Mortel, and Chris McCarthy.

– All photos courtesy Laurie Arena. Information from Bob McCarthy