Sanitation Workers Get Mohawks To Support Friend

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The men of the Sanitation Department's Local 831, M-3 garage at Pier 36 are used to picking up trash but after a colleague was diagnosed with cancer they decided to pick up the trimmers.

About 20 sanitation workers got mohawks Friday in honor of their co-worker, 42-year-old Matt Hoffman.

Hoffman is currently receiving aggressive treatments for stage three rectal cancer.

"Matt's a fighter," said Adam Pedota, a friend and colleague said. "We're all pulling for him. I think he'll be alright, he's just gotta keep fighting."

The hair cuts were donated by Frank's Chop Shop on Essex Street.

"Hoffman's such a unique individual we figured that this would best suit him and the character that he has," said Pedota.

"I don't mind embarrassing myself in public so getting my mohawk was pretty easy," said another coworker.

The event was titled "Hawk'n It For Hoffman," and most of the sanitation workers said their mohawks are here to stay. 

Hoffman and his co-workers hope to raise awareness that men should be screened regularly for rectal cancer.