By Laura Katauskas | Bugle Staff
sweditor@buglenewspapers.com
@BolingbrookInfo
Every three minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer.
Each year community members join the fight against cancer, raising funds by shaving their heads to symbolically connect with those who are battling cancer and to raise funds for cancer research.
The 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. Participants find that shaving their head in solidarity with the approximately 160,000 children who are diagnosed with cancer each year and frequently lose their hair as a result of treatment, is a small sacrifice in comparison to what these children endure.
Community groups in Bolingbrook and Romeoville have been planning and hosting events to support the effort.
In Bolingbrook, more than 240 individuals and 20 groups raised nearly $100,000 during the annual Bolingbrook 4 Kids fundraiser, held March 6 held at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Those wishing to donate can still do so by visiting www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/719/2016.
The event was all about remembering and supporting children and families.
Each year, the inspiration for the event, is them, the children who fight the battle every day like 17-year-old Nathan, 9-year-old Maxwell, 10-year-old Daniel, 17-year-old Alejandro, 8-year-old Addison, 14-year-old Connor, 11-year-old Rosie and 7-year-old Max, as well as angels Faith, John and Macy.
From a variety of raffles and photo ops with Star Wars characters to standing strong and going bald, men and women, and boys and girls came together to join the cause.
Bolingbrook’s Team Liberty was the top fundraiser, bringing in nearly $20,000.
Students and teachers from throughout the Valley View School District launched their own fundraising activities to benefit the event including a few principals who shaved their head to join the fight. Members of Cub Pack 134 joined with Bolingbrook Boy Scouts to form a team, raising nearly $10,000. Pack members, all of whom attend either Jamie McGee, Jonas Salk, Pioneer or R.C. Hill elementary schools include Douglas Barbour; Trevor Fisher; Matthew Hrdlicka; Gabriel and David Krueger; Logan Whittington; Daniel Blus; Brian “Teddy” Ciszczon; Tyler, Riley and Dylan Hoag; Nicholai Krasin; Jacob Reinbold; Ronin Yap; Caden Hodgson; and Brisen Stuchl.
Local businesses offered their support including the Bolingbrook Golf Club, Rocket Ice Arena, Nancy’s Pizza, Billboard WorldWide, Magnetrol, Weber Irish Dancers, JP Sullivan Photography, BD’s Mongolian Grill, Bar Louie and Music Mania.
And the commitment will continue when Romeoville High School hosts their event Friday.
RHS students and staff members kicked off their fundraising efforts in February and nearly 50 people will shave their heads in a private event with close to 2,000 people in attendance to help conquer cancer.
RHS held its first St. Baldrick’s event in 2010, with its 40 member “We Baldin Team”, raising more than $8,600. Over a four year period, the RHS “We Baldin Team” raised more than $86,000 and is on its way to a $10,000 goal this year.
If you would like to donate to this local event, visit the website at https://www.stbaldricks.org/donate/event/5881/2016
“After a two year break, I’m ecstatic to welcome this amazing event back to the Romeoville High School! Kids helping and honoring other kids, that’s what this event is all about,” said Kelley Hensen, event organizer. “The students and staff are so passionate about raising money for this wonderful foundation. I’m always shocked at what our teenage youth can do when they come together for such a great cause!”
St. Baldrick’s is the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraiser for childhood cancer research.
Last year St. Baldrick’s events raised $37 million worldwide.