Real-Life Stories

The Top 2021 Messages Worth Remembering

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
December 16, 2021

As we close a difficult year, we reflect on lessons shared by childhood cancer patients and survivors who have faced adversity with grace, courage, and resilience. From their words, come some messages worth remembering now.

Sarah Swaim, age 31, two-time leukemia survivor & advocate

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation shares the top 2021 messages worth remembering. St. Baldrick’s Honored Kid, Sarah Swaim, and two-time leukemia survivor shares how having support during her cancer diagnosis helped her to keep going.

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Families

Our family was an ordinary family before childhood cancer.

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
October 28, 2021

This was written by Hudson’s mom, Jessica McKearney.

I work as a Nurse Practitioner and Kyle works as a Project Manager. We live in a small town in Northeast Iowa. Before March 2019, Hudson was an energetic, Mickey Mouse and car loving toddler. He was spirited, happy, loved to dance and kept us on our toes. In November 2018, Hudson became a big brother to his sister Violet. Two under two was exciting and exhausting. Hudson was caring, empathetic, and always wanted to be with Violet. They had an incredible bond, and we were grateful to have two happy and healthy toddlers.

Hudson with his mom, dad, sister, and dog.

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Research

OUT-OF-THE-BOX THINKER RECEIVES AWARD FOR INNOVATION

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
October 15, 2020

Unthinkable.

That’s how Dr. Olivier Ayrault described the loss of two school friends to cancer when he was growing up. The experience left an indelible imprint on him and he believes set his course in life to do something to fight cancer.

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Facts

What is Hepatoblastoma?

by Edward Prochownik, M.D., Ph.D.
October 8, 2019
What is Hepatoblastoma?Dr. Edward Prochownik is a past St. Baldrick’s Research Grant recipient and is The Paul C. Gaffney Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. In this blog post, he answers the question “What Is Hepatoblastoma,” and shares some other information about the cancer, its treatment, prevalence, and why research is so important.

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Facts

What is Burkitt Lymphoma?

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
September 11, 2019

Raman Bahal, Ph.D., a St. Baldrick’s Research Grant recipient at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, explains Burkitt Lymphoma symptoms, treatment options, and research opportunities.

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Events and Fundraisers

Reflecting on 20 Years of Supporting Childhood Cancer Research

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
March 15, 2019

In the St. Baldrick’s Foundation community, John Bender has been a catalyst for raising funds in support of lifesaving childhood cancer research and clinical trials.

In 1999, he was one of three reinsurance executives – along with Tim Kenny and Enda McDonnell – who made head shaving part of their mission to find better treatments and eventually a cure for kids’ cancers. Today, as a co-founder and Chairman Emeritus, John remains a major part of the organization and an inspiration to those who have taken up this vital cause.

That’s why, with the twentieth year of head shaving upon us, we asked John to share his thoughts on two decades of fighting childhood cancers.

John Bender appears with members of his family in 2009. They're holding a photo of Mighty Mikey, who died after being diagnosed with brain and spinal tumors.John Bender with members of his family in 2014 holding a photo of Mighty Mikey, who died after being diagnosed with brain and spinal tumors.

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Childhood Cancer

Rockstar Researcher Uses Lasers to Fight Childhood Cancers

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
February 28, 2019

It might seem that Department of Defense technology that’s used to detect explosives might not have any use in diagnosing childhood cancers. But, if you ask St. Baldrick’s Foundation “Rockstar Researcher” Dr. Bruce Shiramizu, this technology has real potential to help patients, parents, caregivers, and the cancer community.

It’s why this Hawaii-based doctor, who has worked on the mainland at the University of California San Francisco and at the National Institutes of Health, is so passionate about his research work and what it might be able to do for children throughout the world. This veteran researcher has shaved his head multiple times for St. Baldrick’s – that’s one definition of a “Rockstar Researcher” – and his body of work speaks volumes.

Dr. Bruce Shiramizu appears with two colleagues after shaving his head to raise money for childhood cancer research.

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Events and Fundraisers

Join the Fight: Shave Your Head for Kids’ Cancer Research

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
February 13, 2019

Register now button

It’s time once again to join the fight against childhood cancers by funding research and clinical trials that can stop this disease from taking more lives.

You may be a past participant or someone who’s been on the fence about joining a head-shave event. Regardless of your past involvement, we urge you to join our fight to take childhood back from cancer.

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Childhood Cancer

Dr. Alex Huang: Head Shaver, Cancer Fighter, Knight Commander

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
January 29, 2019

For the 11th consecutive year, Dr. Alex Huang will be shaving his head for kids’ cancer research. A pediatric oncologist and professor at Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and the Angie Fowler AYA Cancer Institute at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, he’s no stranger to the fight against childhood cancers.

In fact, as an accomplished cancer fighter who’s dedicated time – and hair! – to helping raise money for childhood cancer research, he’s the very definition of a “Rockstar Shavee”.

Photograph of rockstar shavee Dr. Alex Huang.

Dr. Alex Huang, winner of a St. Baldrick’s Innovation Award, will shave his head for an 11th time this year.

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Childhood Cancer

Meet Georgia, St. Baldrick’s Newest League of Legendary Heroes Champion

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
January 25, 2019

The League of Legendary Heroes is an order of dedicated volunteers who’ve participated in St. Baldrick’s Foundation events for three or more years. Each year, St. Baldrick’s names a League Champion to lead and inspire this group to raise money for lifesaving childhood cancer research.

Georgia Moore, our newest League Champion of the League of Legendary Heroes, just celebrated her 19th birthday on Dec. 30. The following day, New Year’s Eve, marked nine years since Georgia was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Photograph of 2019 League Champion Georgia Moore with her family at Tufts University.

Our 2019 League Champion, Georgia Moore (third from left), appears with her family at Tufts University.

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