Shaving Their Heads for Childhood Cancer Research

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Some 25 men, women and children have pledged to have their heads shaved between 1 and 6 p.m. March 12 to raise funds in support of pediatric cancer research.

The Austintown chapter of St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a charity that raises money for childhood cancer research, will hold the unusual fundraiser at O’Donold’s Irish Pub & Grill, Austintown.

By having their heads shaved, they hope to raise greater awareness of the frequency children are stricken with cancer — somewhere in the world, a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes — and one in five in the United States dies of the disease before reaching adulthood. They also hope to show solidarity with the cancer victims whose chemotherapy treatment often results in a temporary loss of hair.

Only 4% of all funding for pediatric cancer research comes from the federal government, The St. Baldrick’s Foundation says, making it incumbent on volunteers and their supporters to raise funds.
Those interested in contributing to the cause or having their head shaved, serving as a head shaver or volunteer can register at http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/odonoldspub2016.

The fundraiser starts at noon with the 19th annual St. Paddy’s 5K Fun Run/1K Walk.

Inside O’Donold’s, Hoss & The Juggernauts, The Super Babes, Ryan Ross & The Youngstown Syndicate, Jay Byrd, Leanne Binder and other will perform.

Last year, the local chapter of St Baldrick’s raised $12,151 bringing its four-year total to $38,531 for pediatric cancer research.

Since 2005, the national organization has awarded more than $101 million to support pediatric cancer research, making it the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.