For the eighth year running, UW-La Crosse’s Coate Hall hosted the St. Baldrick’s event, a national organization aimed at raising money and awareness for childhood cancer.
Last year, Lisa Weston, Coate Hall Director, set the fundraising goal at $25,000, ending with a grand total of $29,000. This year, Weston raised the bar once more, setting the fundraising goal at $30,000. Weston hoped to surpass the goal, as they advertised to the local community, even having the fire department contribute and donate to the cause.
Nationally, the St. Baldrick’s foundation has raised over $39 million for childhood cancer research across the nation, in addition to having over 482,000 participants help in all St. Baldrick’s events since 2007. But St. Baldrick’s could not go on without the volunteers.
Helping to set the event into motion were 40 volunteers.
The students were led by Lisa Weston, who said they “volunteer because a lot of people are affected by childhood cancer, even if it’s a second cousin or distant relative.”
Ellen Maloney, a sophomore at UW-L, volunteered to shave her head after having a friend undergo chemotherapy, as well two aunts who were diagnosed with cancer.
“Raising a ton of money to shave my head isn’t a big deal. Whatever I can do to help,” Maloney said.
While also already having 50 to 80 people committed to shaving their heads, Weston expected over 300 attendees to take part in the event. These 300 plus attendees came to support those shaving their heads and to learn about the personal stories that St. Baldrick’s is in place to service.
A volunteer hair stylist for the event, Jessica Serrati, said she offers to cut hair at the event to “donate her time, which in turn brings awareness to a great organization such as St. Baldrick’s, while also connecting with students who shave their heads.”
One student who shaved her head last year, Samantha Brasier, recalled her experience at St. Baldrick’s, noting why she volunteered.
“Shaving my head through the St. Baldrick’s organization offered an amazing experience that no other organization had,” said Brasier.
The organization offers longer hair up for donation to companies like Love Your Melon, a company that makes wigs for those in need.
“St. Baldrick’s gave me the opportunity to physically show my support for those who will, or already have, experienced the pain, sadness, perseverance and most importantly love that comes with battling cancer,” continued Brasier.
During the event, people also had the chance to take part in raffles, talk to families affected by childhood cancer and feel a stronger sense of community by simply coming out to support the event.