By JUDY RATTNER
The foundation's mission is to raise both awareness and funds to cure kids' cancer by supporting cancer research and fellowships.
St. Baldrick's is a fusion of "St. Patrick's Day" and "bald" as the original head-shaving event took place on St. Patrick's Day. It began in 2000 when three New York City reinsurance executives, one of whom is village resident John Bender, turned their annual St. Patrick's Day party into a fundraiser, shaving their heads in solidarity with children who have cancer. Bender, who has shaved his head nine times in eight years, and his friends recruited volunteers to shave their heads in return for donations from their friends and family for the cause of childhood cancer research.
With funds raised by the people who came to the St. Baldrick's head shaving festivities on March 24 at Madison Hall in Rockville Centre, and with one third of the money raised by the RVC St. Patrick's Parade, this year's local St. Baldrick's tally was a great success, said Bender, amounting to about $200,000. "I'm amazed at the utter generosity of the people of Rockville Centre who support this very important mission," he said.
Bender says the organization has raised over $10.5 million worldwide since January, and that 14,675 men and 1,961 women have had their heads shaved by 1,195 volunteer barbers this year. In 2007, 376 St. Baldrick's events have already taken place or are scheduled in locations all over the world this year.
The foundation makes grants to research organizations that meet stringent criteria and who share the foundation's commitment to fiscal responsibility and an emphasis on research. It supports cooperative research on a national scale to help doctors work together to develop the best treatments for all children with cancer. St. Baldrick's says its research grants help fill crucial funding gaps at medical institutions where children are treated for cancer, ensuring the finest care for every child.
For those who don't want to shave, the foundation suggests other ways of helping, by donating, volunteering or planning an event. For more information, call (888) 899-BALD or visit the organization's website at www.StBaldricks.org.
Photos Courtesy John Bender
