Local volunteers shave their heads to support childhood cancer research

A local team of volunteers will host a fundraising event for The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research.

The head-shaving event will take place at the Austintown location of O’Donald’s Irish Pub and Grill on March 12, where more than two dozen men, women and children are expected to shave their heads in solidarity and raise money to Conquer Childhood Cancers.

Worldwide, a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes and one in five children diagnosed in the U.S. will not survive. With only 4 percent of all federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer research, St. Baldrick’s Foundation volunteers, supporters and donors are needed to continue the battle.

Anyone interested in supporting the event by having their head shaved, serving as a head shaver or volunteering can register at http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/odonoldspub2016. Those wishing to support one of the head shavers can also visit this site to make monetary donations to the cause.

The event organizers will be collecting donations for an auction to take place throughout the day. Any person or business interested in donating a basket or item to the auction can contact Eric Broz at 330-245-4719. The day-long event starts at noon with the 19th Annual St. Paddy’s 5k Fun Run/1K Walk, along with local and regional bands performing inside and in the parking lot of the Austintown O’Donald’s in a large, heated tent. Head-shaving will begin around 1 p.m. and go until 6 p.m. Music includes hometown rockers Hoss & The Juggernauts, The Super Babes, Jay Byrd, Leanne Binder and a dozen more artists gracing the stages.

Last year’s event raised $12,151 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, bringing the four-year total to $38,531 raised for pediatric cancer research.