CURRAN TO SUPPORT ST. BALDRICK'S HEAD-SHAVING EVENT TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD CANCER

Seven local children who are cancer survivors, and some who have passed away, are being honored at this year’s event.

For the twelfth year in a row, Assemblyman Brian Curran (Lynbrook-21st A.D.) will volunteer to get his head shaved to raise money and awareness for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers. This year’s 13th Annual “Brave and Shave” event will be held on Saturday, March 19 at the St. Agnes Parish Center in Rockville Centre (RVC) from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Curran said the event is free, open to all who would like to get their heads shaved, with live music, food, cash bar, children’s activities, bake sale, raffles, and more – all to find a cure for childhood cancer.

“This is a cause that I have supported for many years and I am honored to be part of,” said Curran. “This is about our children and being able to help find a cure for this dangerous disease that claims so many lives. It’s truly heartbreaking for the families who have to go through it, and every year we try to make the best of it and get as many people in the community as involved as possible. It’s a great cause that helps show kids that a shaved head is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s actually a great conversation starter and that’s how the word spreads for St. Baldrick’s. This is truly an inspiring, memorable event not to be missed, and I encourage everyone to participate.”

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation was co-founded 17 years ago by Rockville Centre resident John Bender who, along with two friends, decided to shave their heads in New York City on St. Patrick’s Day to raise money for childhood cancer. St. Baldrick’s exists because every three minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer, one-in-five children will not survive, two out of three children will suffer long-term effects from treatment, and because only four percent of cancer research funded by the federal government actually goes to pediatric cancer research.

The idea has become a global phenomenon where volunteers from across the world organize head-shaving and other fundraising events throughout the year for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Events are held in community halls, firehouses, restaurants, pubs, schools, colleges and the like. To date, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation has funded more than $178 million in grants for childhood cancer research.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation provides pediatric cancer research grants to hundreds of hospitals around the globe. Some local hospitals receiving St. Baldrick’s research funds include Winthrop, Cohen’s Children’s Hospital, Cornell, Sloan Kettering, Stony Brook, Mt. Sinai, NYU, and many more. The well-known St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Tennessee receives several grants from St. Baldrick’s every year as well.

Last year’s RVC event was attended by hundreds from the community and raised over $200,000, featuring over 160 men and women of all ages shaving their heads for the cause. Curran said seven local children (five from RVC) who are cancer survivors, and some who have passed away, are being honored at this year’s event. One honored child will be shaving his head and another will be donating her ponytail at the event for the cause.

For more information, please visit www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/31/2016 to join, donate, pledge a head, or register to shave. Contact event organizers at danieltschaefer@gmail.com, john.lacava@aranins.com, or benderalanna@gmail.com with any questions.

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