Page 222 - The Exceptional Harley Fetterman

JUDY K JOHNSON

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity
committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for
childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. St.
Baldrick's is not associated with any recognized religious saint but
utilizes the appropriation of the title of sainthood for levels of
achievement within the organization. After a volunteer reaches a
certain number of repeat years, the foundation awards them with
“knighting ceremonies” (an award of honor). By 2015, over 2,600
volunteers have earned the Knight of the Bald Table award which in
bestowed for seven years of dedicated service to the organization. By
2019, the official website posted 38,448 Squires of Hope for three
years of service, 4,568 Knights of the Bald Table for seven years of
service, 1,695 Knight Commanders for ten years of service and 103
Crusaders for A Cure after fifteen years of service.
Since 2000, St. Baldrick's Foundation volunteers have organized
nearly 4,200 events and shaved approximately 190,500 heads in
solidarity with kids with cancers. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has
awarded more than $100 million to support lifesaving research,
making the Foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer
research grants. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most
brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to
younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds
awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to take part in
national pediatric cancer clinical trials, which may be a child’s best
hope for a cure. In 2017, League members raised nearly $12 million
to fund the best childhood cancer research.

St. Baldrick's events are hosted by volunteers with the foundation
providing planning tools and support. Volunteers can find events near
them, help set up the event space, shave heads, or have their heads
shaved in solidarity with children who typically lose their hair during
cancer treatment. The public can pledge donations to shavees who are
often competing locally for the highest amount of donations earned by
their head-shaving efforts. Shavees also challenge each other with a
battle to see who can raise more donations. Dedicated shavees, who
participate every year in their quest to find a cure for childhood
cancer, often are known and recognized for sporting a shaved head for
weeks after St. Baldrick's annual fundraisers.

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