St. Baldrick's Foundation

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, headquartered in Pasadena, California and based in the United States. The foundation raises money for childhood cancer research primarily through head-shaving events. Volunteers, sponsored by family, friends and employers, go bald in solidarity with kids who typically lose their hair during cancer treatment.

The concept of St. Baldrick's was devised in 1999 by three Irish-American reinsurance executives from New York City, and grew from a single event to a nationwide effort in a relatively short period of time, now known as the world’s largest volunteer fundraiser for childhood cancer research. The founders decided to turn their St. Patrick's Day party into a benefit for pediatric oncology research by shaving their heads, thereby showing solidarity with children undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Therefore, the name of the Foundation is a play on the words Bald and Patrick - going bald on St. Patrick’s Day, led to St. Baldrick’s.

Since 2000 through May 2008, the St. Baldrick's Foundation has raised over $48.5 million, hosted over 1,700 events and shaved over 71,000 heads in 48 U.S. states and 18 counties.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation became a non-profit organization in late 2004 and makes grants to research organizations that meet stringent criteria and share the foundation’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and emphasis on research. St. Baldrick’s research grants help fill crucial funding gaps at medical institutions where children are treated for cancer, ensuring the finest care for every child. St. Baldrick’s Fellowships enable some of the most promising new doctors to pursue pediatric cancer research as a career. There are now 13 St. Baldrick's Fellows in place across the country.

Famous volunteers

The following celebrities have show support for the St. Baldrick's Foundation over the years:

* Jay Leno - Jay Leno has attended the North Hollywood St. Baldrick's event, lending support to the cause and local fire fighters of Los Angeles, CA who jointly host this annual event with LAPD.
* Michael Douglas
* Jackie Chan
* Mike and Juliet ("The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet")
* Moira Kelly, Hilarie Burton and Lee Norris ("One Tree Hill")
* David Blaine
* Miss USA, Rachel Smith - Rachel showed her support for childhood cancer research by volunteering at the Jim Brady's event in New York City in March 2008. Rachel served as the event's MC, took photos with shavees and was an honorary barber that night.
* Steve Wilkos of "The Steve Wilkos Show" (Steve joined in support of the foundation during the Steve Wilkos Show and HeadBlade Summer Tour to Benefit St. Baldrick's)
* Patrick Elwood (WFLD Fox News Chicago Television Anchor)
* Joe Bartlett ("WOR 710 HD Radio")
* Daneel Harris
* The "Trading Spaces" team

References

External links

* [http://www.stbaldricks.org Official site]
* [http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12452675175 St. Baldrick's Foundation - Official Group]
* [http://www.myspace.com/lucky_stbaldrick St. Baldrick's Mascot, Lucky's MySpace]
* [http://charityreports.give.org/Public/Report.aspx?CharityID=2177 Give.org report] from the BBB