Feb. 20, 2007
ATLANTA – Less than a month ago, the Georgia Tech baseball team joined forces with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in an effort to raise money to assist in finding the cure for childhood cancer. The Yellow Jackets agreed to shave their heads as a part of the St. Baldrick’s event, and set the goal of raising at least $5,000 by March 17, 2007 (St. Patrick’s Day, or “St. Baldrick’s Day”, as coined by the organization).
For every $250 donated in the name of the Georgia Tech baseball program, one player on the team will have his head shaved following the Yellow Jackets’ game against Boston College on St. Patrick’s Day.
In less than a month since the Yellow Jackets’ St. Baldrick’s drive began, Georgia Tech fans and supporters have donated over $3,300 to the cause, resulting in at least 13 players shaving their heads in just over a month.
For those fans still interested in donating, or those just interested in seeing members of the team bald, go to http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/event_info.html?EventID=121# to make a gift that could benefit a child with cancer.
St. Baldrick’s began in 1999 and is now the world’s biggest volunteer-driven fundraising program for childhood cancer. Events have taken place in 10 countries and 42 U.S. States, raising over $20 million and shaving more than 26,000 heads.
It began when a group of Irish friends were trying to find a way to repay their good fortune by giving to others. They decided to turn a St. Patrick’s Day party into a benefit for kids with cancer, but struggled to find what would turn heads – and open the wallets – of their colleagues. One friend suggested shaving another’s head, since kids typically lose their hair during cancer treatment, and another said that he would gladly pay to see the man bald. Thus, St. Baldrick’s was born.
The largest St. Baldrick’s Foundation grants have gone to the Children’s Oncology Group, the world’s foremost childhood cancer research organization, consisting of 230 research institutions working cooperatively to find cures. Six fellowships have also been funded to encourage the best and brightest new doctors to pursue careers in childhood cancer research. Twenty-six other grants have been made to local institutions for research.
As part of the St. Baldrick’s Day festivities at Russ Chandler Stadium, the Yellow Jackets are inviting young cancer survivors from the Atlanta area to the game, with the kids escorting the team to the field prior to the playing of the national anthem.
