What is the St. Baldrick’s Foundation?
Nope, it’s not a foundation started by a saint with the unfortunate nickname “Bald Rick.”
St. Baldrick’s is a charity with a funny name that does one thing and does it well.
We fund grants for childhood cancer research through head-shaving events and other fundraisers across the globe, so kids with cancer can live long, healthy lives.
So where did that name come from?
Like many crazy, world-changing ideas, St. Baldrick’s Foundation started in a pub. Three friends challenged each other to shave their heads bald at a St. Patrick’s Day party to raise money for kids with cancer.
The challenge was so successful — raising a whopping $104,000 and resulting in 19 bald heads — that the founders started to think even bigger. Soon, those two seemingly unrelated concepts (baldness and St. Patrick’s Day) were put together, and ta-da! The St. Baldrick’s Foundation was born.
St. Baldrick’s is now the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants.
Read more about the history of St. Baldrick’s >
Since becoming a foundation, St. Baldrick’s has funded more than $258 million in grants to researchers working on the cutting edge of their fields. That’s a whole lot of help for kids with cancer — but it’s still not enough.
St. Baldrick’s is a volunteer-driven charity. People like you give kids better, safer treatments and hope for a cure.
Volunteer at an event, register to shave your head, or plan an event near you to raise money for childhood cancer research. You can be sure that the money you raise will change lives and save lives.
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