Phi Theta Psi Hosts Local Event for Volunteers to Shave Their Heads in Support of Childhood Cancer Research
Feb 20, 2014 | Kristi Lynch
On Tuesday, March 11, the University of Dubuque chapter of Phi Theta Psi will host the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research. The Foundation will hold one of its signature head-shaving events at McCormick Gym at University of Dubuque, where several individuals will shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer and raise money to conquer childhood cancers.
In 2013, Phi Theta Psi raised over $5,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and are hoping to surpass that goal in 2014. The event will include a silent auction, as well as a 50/50 raffle. Between head shavings, participants can enjoy performances by the UD Dance Company.
This year’s event will honor a local hero, Josh Horne, from Clinton, IA. Josh was diagnosed on August 1, 2010 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is currently in treatment at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital in Iowa City.
Why all the shaved heads? Worldwide a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes, and one in five children diagnosed in the U.S. will not survive. With only 4 percent of all federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer research, St. Baldrick’s Foundation volunteers, supporters, and donors are needed to continue the battle against this devastating disease.
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. St. Baldrick’s coordinates its signature head-shaving events worldwide where participants collect pledges to shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer, raising money to fund research. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $127 million to support lifesaving research, making the Foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, and the new International Scholar grants train researchers to work in developing countries. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org .
If you would like to shave your head, make contributions, or volunteer in another way, please contact Nicole Toro, volunteer organizer, at 407-375-3615 or ntoro@dbq.edu.
