Boonton Boy and Blackthorn Pub Team Up to Fight Cancer

An 8-year-old Boonton boy is making a big sacrifice to support a young neighbor battling cancer.

Matthew Santana, wanting to help Peyton Zitelli, a 19-month-old neighbor battling a rare pediatric cancer, decided to show solidarity with the toddler, reported the Daily Record. Hearing the young girl would lose her hair after chemotherapy treaments, the boy decided to shave his head.

Young Peyton has alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that forms in muscle tissue. She receives treatments during weekly visits to a clinic in Philadelphia.  And in the meantime Matthew, with the help of his father, Ray Santana, is raising funds via the Facebook event Pledges for Peyton, by collecting sponsors for his head shaving to bring attention to the little girl's plight. 

The event is scheduled Saturday from 3-5 p.m. at the Blackthorn Restaurant & Irish Pub on Route 46. Wristbands offering 10 percent off of food, along with Happy Hour drink discounts, will be sold at the door, $5 for adults and $2 for children. All proceeds benefit to the Zitelli family.

The main event—Matthew Santana's head shaving—will take place at 4:30 p.m..

Donations are being accepted as well. Checks can be written to cash to Ray Santana, Matthew Santana, or Michelle and Matt Zitelli and sent to 21 Wildwood Trail, Boonton, NJ 07005.