The St. Baldricks Foundation returned to Shippensburg University for its annual “Shave the Ship” event in the Ceddia Union Building (CUB) Multi-purpose Room (MPR) on Wednesday which was open to students, faculty and volunteers.
The St. Baldricks Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises money for pediatric cancer research.
The “Shave the Ship” event is when people get the opportunity to have their head shaved in honor of cancer patients who first-hand have lost their hair from treatments or in honor of maybe someone they personally know who has gone through this. So far, St. Baldricks has raised $26,822,890 in 2017, and SU contributed more than $1,500.
Those who volunteered to get shaved registered online prior to the event but people still had the opportunity to sign up at the door. When volunteers or supporters who came to support the cause arrived, they helped themselves to the delicious dessert table which offered cookies, brownies and cotton candy.
There was also a table for people to donate and receive a bracelet, as well as entering for a raffle from the Career and Community Engagement Center. The MPR was decorated with green streamers and gold balloons representing the St. Baldricks Foundation colors. While volunteers waited, they were able to play cornhole.
Three employees from Greatclips had set up chairs and brought all of their hair cuttery supplies, ready to shave the volunteers.
As each shavee walked toward the chairs for their turn, everyone in the room cheered loudly and encouraged each other to shave.
“It’s a small sacrifice to lose your hair when others don’t have a choice,” SU student Gabe Hirsch said. “I did it to help raise awareness and show my support for children who experience this every single day.”
After volunteers were being asked how they feel, common responses were, “I feel great,” and “I’m shaving to support a good cause.”
In between groups, a pediatric brain cancer survivor also gave a speech about her experience and how these events help people like herself who have been victims of cancer.
“My favorite part of the event was being surrounded by amazing people who were supporting an amazing cause,” Hirsch said.
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