St. Baldrick’s CEO Kathleen Ruddy Shaves Her Head to Raise Money and Awareness for Childhood Cancer Research

LOS ANGELES (February 17, 2014) – Kathleen Ruddy, the CEO of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, shaved her head Sunday, Feb. 16 in Las Vegas, Nev., at a St. Baldrick’s event. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research through their signature head-shaving events.

Kathleen went bald in honor of her friend Justin Miller, 10, “The Childhood Cancer Fighting Ninja,” who passed away on January 21 after battling cancer seven times. Justin was a 2012 St. Baldrick’s Ambassador, an honorary police officer and a hero to all who knew him. Kathleen shaved her head to not only honor Justin, but to also stand in solidarity with all children affected by cancer.

“Childhood cancer is a crisis, and we must do more for these kids,” said Ruddy. “On February 16, I turned my anger into action and shaved my head. Each child is irreplaceable, and unlike my hair, they don’t grow back once they have been lost. This is why I’m bald, and it’s why thousands of others have pledged to do the same. Until the day every child is cured we will continue to be bold and relentless in our efforts to conquer childhood cancers.”

While some childhood cancers, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, are 80 percent curable, others have not seen progress in 20 or more years. Sadly one in five children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. will not survive. A recent study shows that because of the treatments they had as kids, by the time they’re 45, more than 80 percent will suffer from severe or life-threatening conditions.

Since 2005, the Foundation has awarded 690 grants totaling more than $127 million to support the most promising research that will find cures and give survivors long and healthy lives.

To locate or organize an event or Do What You Want fundraiser in your community, sign-up to shave, donate or volunteer, visit www.StBaldricks.org. Also become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and visit the Foundation’s YouTube and Vimeo channels.

About 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. St. Baldrick’s coordinates its signature head-shaving events worldwide where participants collect pledges to shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer, raising money to fund research. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $127 million to support lifesaving research, making the Foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. 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, and the new International Scholar grants train researchers to work in developing countries. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.

###