St. Baldrick's fund-raiser: Shaving heads for childhood cancer research is slated for March 12

By Susan S. Lang

Heads up: Brave volunteers willing to be shaved and donors willing to support "St. Baldrick's" -- a national fund-raiser to raise money for childhood cancer research -- are wanted.

Mike Shub '08 gets his head shaved at a St. Baldrick's fund-raising event last year in his home borough of Staten Island. This year, he has organized a similar event for Ithaca and Cornell, scheduled for March 12. Provided

"It is like the March of Dimes, but instead of walking, participants collect money in exchange for shaving their head," said Mike Shub '08, CALS, of Staten Island, N.Y. He has organized the first St. Baldrick's event in Ithaca and Cornell, slated for Saturday, March 12, from 1 to 9 p.m. in the Townhouse Activity/Community Center Lounge in the townhouse complex on Jessup Road.

Shub raised $361 last year while a senior in high school. "I was growing out my hair for Wigs for Kids, but it wasn't growing fast enough. My history teacher suggested shaving for St. Baldrick's instead, which I did. This year, I want to spread the event in the hopes that people here would participate," said Shub. His goal this year: $5,000. "If we raise $2,000, then I'll shave my eyebrows, too," he added. But he needs volunteer heads (and donors).

So far, about $7 million has been raised nationally in the past five years through the efforts of some 5,000 shavees and countless volunteers. In 2002, 37 St. Baldrick's events took place; last year the number climbed to 164. Now the world's largest event for childhood cancer, St. Baldrick's Day, a whimsical twist on St. Patrick's Day, is scheduled a week before the holiday because of spring break. Pre-registration is not necessary, though useful to Shub. All are welcome.

For more information, visit this Web site: http://www.stbaldricks.org or contact Shub at 253-2218 or e-mail ms466@cornell.edu.