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Baseball Community Unites to Cure Childhood Cancer

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Traci Shirk
626.792.8247 x50
traci@stbaldricks.org

Baseball Community Unites to Cure Childhood Cancer

Baseball teams, coaches and fans embrace BaseBald to help cure kids’ cancer

LOS ANGELES (December 14, 2011) – It takes baseball teams, coaches and fans of all ages to help kids with cancer. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, announces BaseBald, the Foundation’s newest fundraising initiative. BaseBald combines the fun and energy of St. Baldrick’s signature head-shaving events with the spirit, enthusiasm and camaraderie of baseball teams across the country and around the world.

The first BaseBald event was held in 2010 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and was organized by Chase Jones, childhood cancer survivor and former UNC baseball player. Jones was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor when he was 18 years old and has been cancer free for five years. He recruited his fellow UNC baseball teammates, coaches and fans to participate in the event to give support and hope to kids fighting cancer. The event was such a success that it has become an annual event. Jones brought the event to St. Baldrick’s, where he now serves as the BaseBald Program and Family Relations Coordinator. He is leading the Foundation’s BaseBald initiative with a goal of getting baseball teams, coaches and fans everywhere involved in the cause to support life-saving childhood cancer research.

“As a childhood cancer survivor it’s incredible to work for an organization like the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and I am so excited to take two passions, baseball and giving back to kids’ cancer, to help launch the BaseBald program,” said Jones. “BaseBald events are organized like traditional St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events and allow the whole team to make a difference and connect with kids with cancer. We are inviting all baseball teams, from little leagues to colleges to professional teams to participate – together we can shave heads, save lives and truly conquer kids’ cancer!”

In 2011, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation has funded more than $21 million in grants, and since 2005, has funded a total of more than $78 million to the most promising researchers to find cures and better treatment options for all childhood cancers.

Visit the BaseBald event page to learn more or host your own event.

About the St. Baldrick’s Foundation
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. The Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, a child’s best hope for a cure. Since the Foundation’s first grants as an independent charity in 2005, St. Baldrick’s has funded more than $78 million in childhood cancer research. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.