NAHANT — On Jan. 1, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. more than 200 people will plunge into the icy cold waters at Nahant’s Short Beach. Now in its 10th year, the Sonia and Capano families’ New Year’s Day polar-plunge tradition, Freezin’ for a Reason, has raised more than $150,000 for a variety of local causes.
This year’s Freezin’ for A Reason will dedicate its fundraising efforts to Tracey (Scherrer) and Brian Friedman’s newborn baby Cecilia (Cece) to help alleviate some of the tremendous costs and expenses for Cece’s medical procedures, recovery, and personal home care.
Tracey (Scherrer) Friedman grew up in Lynn. Tracey started her career as the Lynn Public Schools Homeless Liaison, identifying and supporting the homeless youth of Lynn within the school system. Tracey is now in her third year as the executive director of The Haven Project, a nonprofit in Lynn that addresses gaps in services for homeless young adults in Lynn and nearby North Shore communities.
During a routine ultrasound Tracey and Brian learned that Cece would be born with a serious congenital heart defect known as “Tetralogy of Fallot.” This condition affects only about 1,600 babies born in the U.S. each year and requires specialized care and open-heart surgery within weeks of being born.
Cece was born preterm on Nov. 11, 2024 weighing four points and 12 ounces. She was discharged home. On Nov. 29, Cece was readmitted to Boston Children’s Hospital and underwent open-heart surgery. The cardiology team was able to perform a full heart repair. Cece is now on the road to recovery. She is a fighter and is making great strides.
Cece will need extensive, complex medical treatment, specialized care, and frequent commutes to Boston. This will require the financial help and support of the greater Lynn community, family, and friends. This year’s Freezin’ for A Reason will dedicate its fundraising efforts for Cece, Tracey, and Brian to help alleviate some of these tremendous costs and expenses.
We will be in the water, as usual, on Jan. 1, 2025, at noon, at the Nahant Coast Guard Station, Nahant. The Scherrer/Friedman families have certainly played their part in giving back to the Greater Lynn community, and this year we are “Freezin” for Cece, Tracey, and Brian. Your support would mean the world to us and them.
