NORWICH – Norwich will again be one of the nearly 1,000 locations worldwide hosting the hugely successful St. Baldrick’s fundraiser – where participants raise money to shave their heads on St. Patrick’s Day in an effort to one day cure childhood cancer.
“It’s done to help find a cure for childhood cancer,” said Tracy Chawgo, the Norwich event’s organizer. “That’s it in a nutshell.”
Chawgo and several others have already organized teams and are starting their local fundraising campaigns. In total, Chawgo, an EMS member of the Norwich Fire Department, said he hopes participants can raise $20k, $4,000 more than last year’s tally that went toward cancer research.
“We’ll be a little bigger, hopefully a little bit better than last year’s, which was a huge a success,” Chawgo said. “We’re just getting started, and the more people we get to shave their heads, the better donations we’ll get for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.”
Following the national trend which saw the foundation raise $8.3 million in 2006 alone, St. Baldrick’s has outgrown its original site at the Music Shop Pub, and has been moved to the ballroom at the Howard Johnson’s Hotel on North Broad Street in downtown Norwich. Since it began in 2000, globally the event has raised over $20 million.
The shave-down’s creators say its popularity is directly related to the prevalence of cancer in nearly every society.
“Curing each and every child is the reason why people choose to participate in a St. Baldrick’s event,” states the foundation’s 2006 annual report. “Every person involved has an inspirational story to explain their participation.”
Chawgo agrees, citing hope as the driving force that empowers people to participate in the event.
“We all know somebody affected by cancer – God knows it runs rampant,” he said. “Hopefully this will help turn a childhood cure into a cure for everybody.”
The shaving will start at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 17 at Howard Johnson’s. There will be an appetizer buffet and a cash bar, and aside from shavees, Chawgo added that volunteers are needed.
“We need more help than just shaving heads,” he said. “Give us a call, and we’ll give you a job.”
All are invited to form teams or participate as individuals, and can do so by registering at www.stbaldricks.org, which is the same site where donations can be made on-line. Donations can also be made over the telephone at 1-888-889-BALD. Interested parties can also email Chawgo at chawgo@frontiernet.net.
“It’s a good community event,” he said.
According to its website, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation provides grants to numerous hospitals and research groups to study cancer. The foundation also supports research fellowships to foster career development in pediatric oncology.
“Regardless of where a child with cancer lives,” the foundation states, “your donation will help them.”