Long Beach
Fire Department

Long Beach firefighters will team up with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation – the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, and support “Long Beach Shaves for Kids,” a head-shaving fundraiser to help find cures and better treatments for pediatric cancers.

The event will take place at the Long Beach Firefighters Association Union Hall located at 2201 Cherry Avenue in the City of Signal Hill. Firefighters and other members of the community to include Mackenzie Hancsicsak, who plays young Kate on the hit show This Is Us will shave their heads to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research. What is the purpose of shaving their heads? Children with cancer often lose their hair during treatment, a “shavee” shaves their head to stand in solidarity with them – and most importantly in the process, inspire family, friends, and others to donate money in support of childhood cancer research.

WHO:  St. Baldrick’s 16th Annual Long Beach Shaves for Kids
WHAT:  A Charity Fundraiser to support Childhood Cancer Research
WHEN:  Saturday, March 10, 2018 from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
WHERE:  2201 Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill, California

As a volunteer-driven charity, St. Baldrick’s coordinates head-shaving events worldwide and rely on dedicated volunteer groups like the Long Beach Fire Department. With more than 1,200 events and approximately 60,000 volunteers each year, the St. Baldrick’s community has formed a powerful movement to help eradicate pediatric cancer. Public sector groups like local fire and police departments continue to serve as great crusaders in joining this fight.

According to research done by the World Health Organization (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), about 215,000 children worldwide— from infants to 14-year-olds, are newly diagnosed with childhood cancer each year. Every two minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer. In fact, more children are lost to cancer in the U.S. than any other disease, and more than any other childhood diseases combined. The many types of cancers that strike children are different from adult cancers. Treatments for children must be unique and tailored specifically for them. With only 4% of U.S. federal funding solely dedicated to childhood cancer research, more volunteers are needed. The efforts of volunteers such as the individuals participating in this event on Saturday are essential to further this lifesaving research to find a cure.

Since head-shaving is not for everyone, St. Baldrick’s has a “Do What You Want” fundraising program, which allows volunteers to raise money anyway they can. Donations directly to St. Baldrick’s are always appreciated. To find out more information about how you can get involved or sign up to shave your head, visit the St. Baldrick’s website at www.StBaldricks.org or the event website at www.StBaldricks.org/events/longbeach2018

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