St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization that funds childhood cancer research, is asking students ‘How much is your hair worth to you?’ in preparation for a fundraiser where a head of hair can save a child’s life.
The fundraiser is collecting donations and sponsors for people willing to shave their heads in solidarity with the 160,000 children who are diagnosed with cancer each year.
The event, brought to campus by two Dickinson Community resident assistants, Jackie Senz and Paul Vecchione, will be held Sunday in the Mandela Room from 4 to 9 p.m.
‘The shaving will be done on the lowest setting of clippers,’ Senz, a senior majoring in chemistry, said. ‘The hair will be completely clean-shaven.’
Cost Cutters has donated its services for the event and will be on site to shave the heads of all participants.
Students can get involved in the fundraiser in several ways. If they are willing to shave their heads, students can collect pledges from friends, family and community members. Those who do not wish to shave their heads can still participate in the raffles, watch the performances and listen to the live DJ from WHRW radio station.
The RAs chose to bring the St. Baldrick’s event to BU because they wanted a fundraiser that would get the entire campus and community involved.
‘We looked for a fundraising event to not only help us but help the community and children, especially because the children are our future,’ Vecchione, a first-year graduate student, said. ‘By helping them, we are really bettering ourselves.’
The organizers have also been in contact with several community members whose families have been affected by cancer. They hope that those affected will attend the event to see the support that the community has for them.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation sponsors events in which participants collect pledges and donations to show children that they support their fight against cancer.
Students can donate to the foundation online at the Binghamon University page on the St. Baldricks Web site, www.stbaldricks.org.