Hudson Valley Nursing Students to Host Fundraiser for Childhood Cancer Research
April 23, 2026
Hudson Valley Community College will transform the McDonough Sports Complex into a community-wide festival on Saturday, April 25, as it hosts a carnival-themed fundraiser to support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest charity funder of children’s cancer research grants. The public event, which runs from noon to 4 p.m., will blend family entertainment with a mission to fund life-saving research for children battling cancer.
The afternoon is designed as a celebration of community and resilience. The event pairs the powerful tradition of head-shaving with a lively community festival, featuring a full itinerary of games, music and family-friendly entertainment. Attendees can expect:
- Live entertainment: Music and hosting by DJ D. Scott from JAMZ 96.3 FM
- Festival fun: Face painting, caricature drawings and balloon art
- Carnival staples: Games, festive food and raffle prizes
The annual St. Baldrick’s Carnival is led by Hudson Valley’s Neimond Zonders/Nursing Club and is a key part of the club’s focus on community. Since its debut in 2024, the fundraiser has seen significant growth – raising more than $21,000 for cancer research last year alone — and balances a mission of funding life-saving research with a commitment to family support.
This year’s celebration honors the memory of Ulrich Tedeschi, the 10-year-old son of Hudson Valley Nursing student Larissa McCabe. Inspired by Ulrich’s courage during his lifelong battle against cancer, Larissa chose to enroll in the college's Nursing program to help others facing similar medical journeys. Ulrich tragically passed away in October.
“It means so much to me to have my son honored for this year’s St. Baldrick’s event, because this is a way for me to honor his life and keep him alive in some sense,” McCabe said. “It would mean so much for me to continue to spread childhood cancer awareness, because we need more funding for research. There’s still so much unknown in the childhood cancer world.”
Associate Professor of Nursing Kate Rodriguez, who serves as the lead advisor for the Neimond Zonders/Nursing Club, sees the event as an extension of the classroom. She believes it provides a space for students to embody the empathy required in healthcare.
"Cancer touches everyone's life at some point," Rodriguez said. "By coming together for this cause, we have the power to show up for the most vulnerable members of our community."
The carnival-themed fundraiser is free and open to the public, and donations are voluntary. The event has set an initial fundraising goal of $15,000. All proceeds benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.