Kindergartner Works to Help Children With Cancer

Sean-Patrick Erisman, a kindergarten student at Cornerstone Prep, has expressed his Christian discipleship since he was 3.

Erisman, of Acworth, recently was named a Squire of Hope for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for raising money the past three years. He shaved his head to raise money to benefit children with cancer. This year he raised $1,400.

“People who are sick, I like to give them hair because their hair fell all out,” Sean-Patrick said.

The entire Erisman family is involved with St. Baldricks.

“Three years ago, my husband Kevin was invited to participate in the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser, located at the Guston’s in Woodstock,” Miriam Erisman said . “At this time Sean-Patrick was only 3 years old, and after hearing testimonies from other kids about their battle with cancer, he was inspired to shave his head with Kevin. In a very short period of time, he raised several hundred dollars. The next year, we asked Sean if he wanted to participate and he did. Again he raised several hundred dollars at the event to shave his head.”

“At that event, I decided that we were going to establish an official team and fundraise as much as we could leading up to the event. That’s what we did, we posted on social media and sent emails to our family and friends.”

This year, for the first time, Miriam Erisman shaved her head along with her husband and son. “On March 24, we went into the event having raised around $1,100. While at the event Sean-Patrick raised another $300-plus, and we shaved our heads together as a team and a family.”

Miriam Erisman noted that the family is still raising money for the event. As of press time they had raised more than $1,500.

When asked how the family developed such a selfless spirit in their young son, Miriam Erisman said, “I think God gave Sean-Patrick a big heart, and we just nurtured it by being an example. Our family philosophy has always been to help and put others before yourself. We try to live this every day.”

To donate to the Erisman family’s effort, go to https://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/116002/2018.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer- and donor-powered charity committed to supporting the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. The organization raised more than $24 million in 2018.

– Jeanine Marlow,  is director of communications and marketing at Cornerstone Preparatory Academy in Acworth.