Write a commentIt takes a community to cure childhood cancer. St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, will host one of its signature head-shaving events at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center at the Captains’ Quarters Best in Oswego on Sunday, April 12, where more than 200 expected shavees will shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer, and raise money for life-saving children’s cancer research.
Why all the shaved heads? Worldwide, more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, and it remains the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States. With only 4 percent of all federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer research, St. Baldrick’s Foundation grant funds are critical to continue the battle against this devastating disease.
For the ninth year, the event will be sponsored by the Oswego State athletic department. Last year’s event had more than 200 shavees – male and female, young and old – and raised just over $95,000, and over eight years, Oswego’s fundraisers have raised more than $380,000. Plans are now under way to help make this year’s event the most productive one yet.
Shavees and non-shaving volunteers can register on-line and raise money individually or as part of a team. With this year’s event still more than 10 weeks away, there are currently 10 different teams registered and 30 shavees – 10 who are female - are already registered.
Team Sadie, for instance, has 11 shavees registered and has already raised more than $1,200. Their team is named for Sadie Wilson, a 4-year old Oswego girl who is battling Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Last year they were the largest team with 26 members and raised more than $10,200, the most of any team.
A new fundraising team this year is Team Sue Witmer/Sue Witmer, led by Cayuga Community College’s Fulton Campus director of operations Sue Witmer, and Oswego State’s Sue Witmer, who is the academic support coordinator for the Lakers’ athletic department. The two are unrelated, but decided to use their names and daily contacts to team up and raise money for childhood cancer research.
Other teams already registered include the Bearded Brethren, Hannibal United, Oswego Minor Hockey Association, Team Minetto, Super Team, and Team Josh.
At the main event on April 12, there will also be raffles, an auction, a photo booth, and food and music. Raffle items will be featured on the Oswego St. Baldrick’s Facebook page (“9th annual St Baldricks Day in Oswego”).
In addition to the Sunday date in April, various St. Baldrick’s fundraisers are also being planned, starting with a chicken barbeque on February 8 at Lighthouse Lanes in Oswego. A Bunco Night at the Oswego Elks’ Club is planned for February 26, and on Tuesday, March 31, Greene’s Ale House will feature guest bartenders donating all tips to St. Baldrick’s. Oswego’s Fajita Grill will sponsor a St. Baldrick’s Night on Monday, April 6, and the Oswego Sub Shop will donate a percentage of their evening’s sales to St Baldricks on Monday, April 13.
For information about the different St. Baldrick’s fundraising events, see the local Facebook page, and for more information about the St. Baldricks’ Foundation – or to register as a shave, or volunteer, or make a donation – go to www.stbaldricks.org.
