12:00pm | Students, parents and teachers of Cubberley K-8 School hosted the 11th Annual St. Baldrick’s Head Shaving event yesterday, March 16. Volunteers attended the event as either a “shavee” or a barber, with the sole intention of shaving hair off heads to show solidarity with children who have been stricken with various cancer related illnesses.
Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske spoke at the event to support St. Baldrick’s worthy cause, and to distinguish the charitable actions of Cubberley’s faculty and students. “Today, Cubberley stands in unison with St. Baldrick’s to support children who suffer from childhood cancers”, Schipske said. “Our students, parents and faculty share the same passion in helping children conquer this dreadful disease, and we will continue to lead the nation in attendance for St. Baldrick’s events.”
Cubberley has raised over $480,000 over the last 10 years. The school has been recognized by Jerry Finklestein, who works with the Jaques Children’s Cancer Center in Long Beach, as the #1 school in the country for the largest student participation in their annual St. Baldrick’s event. This year, 200 volunteers had their heads shaved. Half of them were children between first and eighth grade. SuperCuts, with its two Fifth District locations, contributed hair stylists to help sheer the locks off the “shavees”. Total donations received this year amounted to $60,000.
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers. Founded in March of 2000, founders John Bender, Tim Kenny and Enda McDonnell turned a St. Patrick’s Day party into a head-shaving event that raised $104,000. The foundation has grown exponentially, now having raised $117 million.
The funds collected this year will go directly to the Miller Children’s Hospital and the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center for life saving research and programs for children with cancer.
Students around the Heroes Board where friends and family members with cancer are remembered.
Two girls at the 11th Annual St. Baldrick’s Event in Long Beach
Hunter Scott, brother of cancer patient Kayliegh Scott, places his hand over his sister’s name on the Heros Board
Emily, a volunteer, speaks to the crowd
Raised hands designate those who have lost friends and family members to cancer
Kayliegh Scott, a 9th grade cancer patient, with her brother Hunter (right)
Councilwoman Gerrie Schipskie speaks from the stage
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joshi from Millers Children Hospital, speaks from the stage
More than 100 men, women and children got their heads shaved
Hunter Scott, brother of cancer patient Kayliegh Scott, gets his head shaved
A boy is interviewed after having his head shaved
Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster speaks from the stage where more than 100 men, women and children got their heads shaved
Mayor Bob Foster checks out the newly shorn head of a Long Beach firefighter
Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster and Councilwoman Gerrie Schipskie pose with children from Team Cubberley
Morgan Daoust, 4 years old, joined his father Michael, a Long Beach firefighter, in getting his head shaved
Holly Ferris gets a photo of her son Jayce getting his head shaved
Cameras came out to capture shots of family members and friends getting their heads shaved
