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The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private funder of children's cancer research, will host one of its signature head-shaving events at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center on Sunday, April 15, where more than a hundred “shavees” are expected to shave their heads to raise money for lifesaving childhood cancer research.
Every two minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer worldwide, and in the U.S. one in five kids diagnosed won’t survive. Those who do survive often suffer long-term effects from treatments too harsh for their developing bodies. As the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, St. Baldrick's is leading the charge to take childhood back from cancer. From its beginnings, St. Baldrick’s has believed that kids deserve the chance to be kids – fun-loving, carefree, refreshingly honest, and always a little goofy – and deserve the chance at a healthy future. That’s why donations raised at events like this have made it possible for St. Baldrick’s to fund more than $232 million to support the best childhood cancer research, wherever it takes place.
In its first 11 years, the annual Oswego event has raised more than $580,000. Last year, about 125 shavees, volunteers, and barbers helped raise $52,000. “Last year we had teams of just three or four people, and we had the Oswego State men’s lacrosse team – with about 40 team members. This year we’d like to invite sports teams, businesses, schools, our first responders – anyone and everyone – to get involved,” said Dan Witmer, event organizer.
This year’s event will be more family-friendly than the previous fundraisers. “We plan on having more games and activities for children, so whether you’re shaving or just attending the event, there will be something for the whole family to see and do,” said Terra Pritchard, a member of the planning committee.
There will also be a silent auction and raffles the day of the event. “We’re busy now, collecting donations from local businesses,” said committee member Susan DiBlasi. “There are so many ways for people to help, whether it’s by registering to shave and raising money, or helping out, or by making some sort of donation.”
As the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation believes that kids are special and deserve to be treated that way. St. Baldrick’s is leading the charge to take childhood back from cancer by funding some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts who are working to find cures and better treatments for all childhood cancers. Kids need treatments as unique as they are – and that starts with funding research just for them.
To donate, register as a shavee, barber or volunteer, or learn more about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, go to www.stbaldricks.org today, and help support the best cancer treatment for kids.
