If you haven’t heard of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, you might be surprised to learn about the important charitable work its members do.
“The foundation has raised nearly $400 million for children’s cancer research grants,” said Stephen Gaylord, who is organizing a fundraising event for the foundation on Saturday, March 19, at the Townhouse Sports Grill, 907 Manitou Ave.
“The planning is coming along really well,” he said. “We’ve already got 21 ‘shavees’ lined up.”
By the day of the event, Gaylord hopes to have signed up at least 40 shavees, the term used for volunteers who raise funds via pledges by having their heads shaved.
Which also helps explain the name St. Baldrick. The group was founded by three business colleagues — Tim Kenny, John Bender and Enda McDonnell — who staged their first head-shaving event in Manhattan on St. Patrick’s Day in 2000.
“St. Baldrick” is a play-on-words, a mash-up of “bald” and “St. Patrick,” according to the foundation’s website.
Although the name has a light-hearted genesis, the foundation’s efforts to fight cancer is incredibly serious. Since its inception, it has become the biggest private funder of childhood cancer research grants in the United States, having hosted more than 4,000 events in all 50 states.
In addition to raising money for grants, participants publicly express their support and solidarity with children who have lost their hair because of cancer.
Manitou residents’ interest in the upcoming gathering at the Townhouse Sports Grill has been exceptional, according to Gaylord, who works as a server at the business.
He has been participating in St. Baldrick’s events for 10 years, and said that when he pitched the idea of staging the town’s first-ever St. Baldrick’s head-shaving gathering to Townhouse managers, they quickly agreed.
“There’s no other community like Manitou,” Gaylord said. “To have the response from the community that we’ve gotten makes me feel so good.”
The event will take place 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Any shavee who raises at least $50 will receive a St. Baldrick’s Foundation T-shirt, a burger and fries from the Townhouse and a Goat Patch draft beer.
The Townhouse owners have pledged to donated 15 percent of their proceeds from Saturday.
For Gaylord, helping raise funds for St. Baldrick’s comes naturally. He has a long history of volunteer work that began when he was a lifeguard at a summer camp and befriended a youngster who had brain cancer.
“He told me about the great things he could do because of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I began contributing to Make-A-Wish and I’m always contributing to children-related causes,” he said. “Every kid deserves a childhood.”
Gaylord, an Army veteran, said he teamed with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation after returning from a deployment in Iraq.
“When I got back, I felt disconnected from community, disconnected from who I was and disconnected from volunteering,” he said.
When he learned of a St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event scheduled at Colorado College, he signed up.
“I wore the T-shirt I received until it had holes in it. It was a tremendously positive experience with everyone laughing and crying, raising money for cancer research. We did something good.”
Gaylord said it helped overcome the isolation he was feeling, and he thinks participating in the Townhouse event can possibly help someone who has been socially isolated during the last two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Anyone can sign up,” he said. “We have the structure in place for as many shavees as can sign up.”
About a dozen volunteers will be on hand to help with scheduled activities. Several long-term cancer survivors also will be present.
What happens to the collected cut hair? Although the St. Baldrick’s Foundation doesn’t utilize it, shavees can contribute it to other charity groups such as Locks of Love or Wigs for Kids.
It’s not about the hair,” Gaylord said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re bald. It’s about the symbolism, expressing support for the children. Give what you’ve got; we’ll take it!”
St. Baldrick’s cancer research grants are awarded to top childhood cancer research experts, according to its website, www.stbaldricks.org. It states, “Every grant goes through a rigorous scientific review process, ensuring every dollar has the greatest possible impact for children with cancer.”
All events are organized by community volunteers, with the foundation providing planning tools and support.
A silent auction featuring donated items and gift certificates is also planned for the Manitou event, and can be dropped off at the Townhouse.