Members of the Sigma Nu Fraternity hosted their annual St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event on Sunday to help raise money for curing childhood cancer.
Sigma Nu has raised nearly $20,000 for the St. Baldrick’s foundation, a volunteer-driven charity that raises funding for childhood cancer research.
“At Sigma Nu fraternity, we actually participate in this event with St. Baldrick’s every spring, and we get all the guys to volunteer to shave their heads to support children’s cancer research,” said Taylor Crowell, a freshman studying mechanical engineering.
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation was founded in 1999 and raises money for childhood cancer research by getting volunteers to shave their heads for donations.
Raising awareness of childhood cancer in particular was also one of Sigma Nu’s goals.
“Only 3 to 4 percent of the funding for general cancer goes towards childhood cancer, so we’re really trying to spread awareness of childhood cancer and get the word out,” said Brett Birnberg, a freshman studying sports management.
Two hairstylists from Arrow Haircuts shaved the heads of volunteers during the event.
“I did it last year, and I volunteered since I had so much fun doing it,” said Chelsea Wargo, a hairstylist from Arrow. “The experience was awesome. Everyone here is great, and they’re raising a lot of money for the cause.”
One of Wargo’s clients with cancer had his head shaved the previous day at work and had stopped by the St. Baldrick’s shaving event, according to Wargo.
Some of the members of Sigma Nu also have personal connections to the cause.
“I’ve been doing St. Baldrick’s since eighth grade, and I started because a bunch of teachers in my middle school did, and then I actually had family member who got cancer and passed away because of it,” said Nick Bertocci, a sophomore studying nutrition. “It’s a good thing to come out and do. It’s a good cause, and hair grows back, so it’s worth it.”
Sigma Nu wrapped up the event with several of its members having partaken in the head shaving.
“The hair—that’s temporary. The money can go toward a future, and that’s what we care about,” Birnberg said.
