More than 30 students and community members shaved their heads for children’s cancer research Saturday night at The Varsity Theatre. Participants went bald in return for sponsors’ pledges of financial support.
All proceeds went to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation — a nonprofit organization aimed at raising awareness and funds for children’s cancer research — and donated hair went to Locks of Love and Pantene Beautiful Lengths.
St. Baldrick’s is the largest volunteer-driven fundraising organization for children’s cancer research. Similar events have taken place in 24 countries and all 50 U.S. states, raising more than $68 million for grants and fellowships for research since 2000.Danielle LaRock, environmental sciences graduate student, said this was her second time organizing the event, which collected more than $8,500 this year.
“I want to contribute to research that will find better treatment options for children and anyone who has to fight cancer so they can live more normal lives,” LaRock said. “Eventually I want there to be a cure.”
She said she empathizes with children who had to undergo harsh treatments to live.
“I have a chronic disease called Crohn’s disease, which is an autoimmune disease of the digestive system,” she said. “Thankfully it’s in remission now due to miracle medication, but there needed to be research and money for that research to develop those medicines.”
Children’s cancer research funding accounts for less than 3 percent of all research funding allotted by the federal government, according to the National Cancer Institute.
The fundraiser held personal significance for many participants, but none more so than Baton Rouge resident Laurina Conger and her 10-year-old son Mikey, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2005 when he was only 5.
“Try imagining you’re told your child has an illness that could kill him,” Conger said. “And if the illness doesn’t, there’s the possibility the medication could.”
Conger said Mikey is in remission thanks to efforts from the doctors at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, but he still has to be monitored closely and has to fly to St. Jude’s in Memphis, Tenn., every four months for check-ups. Mikey has been a Tiger fan since birth, Conger said.
“My husband was in the Tiger Band, and he didn’t know any lullabies, so we always sang the LSU Fight Song to Mikey to put him to sleep as a baby,” she said. “When he was in the hospitals and had to be put to sleep for spinal taps and different treatments, we’d sing it to him as a lullaby.”
Conger said Mikey is close friends with former offensive tackle Ciron Black, who wore Mikey’s name on his wrist tape during the 2008 BCS Championship Game.
Many participants were University students and alumni.
Allie Roberts, biology sophomore, said this was her second time shaving her head for cancer.
“I’m doing it personally to honor my cousin, Bernadette, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2007,” Roberts said. “I shave for her.”
Moshe Cohen, math graduate student, also said this was his second time shaving his head for cancer. His first time was after his close childhood friend started chemotherapy.
“I’m proud of Dani [LaRock] for getting everyone together and excited about this,” Cohen said. “It’s great to see the LSU community involved in this.”
Contact Sarah Eddington at [email protected]