St. Baldrick's Foundation

By Victoria Mullen

No, Virginia. There is no St. Baldrick. Nope, no such saint. But there is a St. Baldrick’s Foundation. And every year, people around the U.S. and in some countries shave their heads to raise awareness and money to fund childhood cancer research.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity that funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Its name is a combination of “St. Patrick’s Day” and the word, “bald.” People who shave their heads are known as “Shavees.”

Things sure have changed since the event’s inception on March 17, 2000, at Jim Brady’s Bar and Restaurant in New York City. What began as a challenge between three friends has morphed into the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraiser to benefit childhood cancer research.

Childhood cancer affects thousands of kids and families around the world each year. It’s the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S. The statistics are sobering: Worldwide, a child is diagnosed every three minutes. (Worldwide, 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.) And in the U.S., more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease—more than AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and diabetes combined.

Approximately 1 in 285 kids in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer before they turn 20. What’s particularly tragic is that at the average age of 6, kids will lose 71 years of life to cancer. They won’t grow up, marry or have children of their own.

“I can’t wait for the event!” said Patrick Schrager, who is organizing the March 6 event. This will be his eighth year as a Shavee and his third year running an event. His fundraising goal is $15,000. If you’re interested in making a donation on Schrager’s head, go to St. Baldrick’s website or call 888.899.BALD.

Now you won’t be blindsided when you happen across a bunch of bald folks Sunday, March 6, at 84th Street Pub & Grille (8282 Pfeiffer Farms Dr SW, Byron Center). Au contraire. You’ll know that they stand in solidarity with kids being treated for cancer.

For most people, St. Patrick’s Day typically includes spending time with friends and family having a few beers.

St. Baldrick's Foundation is a national non-profit organization that raises money for childhood cancer research. — St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a national non-profit organization that raises money for childhood cancer research.

But for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, St. Paddy’s day is spent a little differently. The foundation celebrates the holiday through a head-shaving fundraiser to raise money for children’s cancer research.

St. Baldrick’s raises money all over the country for cancer research, and for a second year, the event took place in West Michigan. This year’s host was the 84th Street Pub and Grille in Byron Center. This year the event raised over $45,ooo!

Pat Schrager of Byron Center is St. Baldrick’s local event coordinator. “This is the seventh year I’ve done it. We were doing it in Indiana where we lived. When we came to Grand Rapids, we were surprised it wasn’t here.”

While shaving your head can certainly be difficult for anyone to face, when it comes to a good cause, most people are up for the challenge.

Volunteers step up to have their heads shaved to raise money.

Bobbi Halas is one of those people. She faced the fear of shaving her head to give to the fundraiser.

“It was the weirdest feeling I’ve ever had and I was scared spitless,” Halas said. “But it’s such a great cause.”

Bobbi, along with many others, came out to show their support for children’s cancer research. Cancer survivor Allison Slagter was impressed.

“It’s really fun watching everyone so eager to shave their heads, because that’s kind of scary if they don’t want to,” Slagter said. “Everyone’s just really eager to donate”.

Money for cancer research doesn't grow on trees. But hair does grow on heads — Money for cancer research doesn’t grow on trees. But hair does grow on heads

Schrager explains that the St. Baldrick’s donations are also helping West Michigan local hospitals fund cancer research including the Children’s Oncology Fund, their largest benefactor. “And Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital participates in that,” adds Schrager.

Although the event is only in its second year in West Michigan, Schrager says the number of eager donors is growing.

“As you get people involved and start talking about it, they realize it’s only hair, it grows back,” Schrager said.