Last year, this event began as something small and spontaneous. When Lola, a 7 year old living at Camp Lejeune, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and began losing her hair from chemotherapy, our community rallied around her. We created an impromptu head shaving fundraiser as a way to show solidarity and turn love into action. In a very short time, friends, families, and neighbors came together and helped us raise $5,254, with every penny going directly to childhood cancer research.
Lola is still fighting bravely. While she has since moved closer to family and specialized care, her strength continues to inspire us. In her honor, in support of children still fighting, and in memory of those we have lost, we are proud to bring this event back for a second year.
Our 2nd Camp Lejeune St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser will take place on March 16th. You can donate, sign up to participate, or even create a team. Participants do not need to attend the event in person. Fight childhood cancer in any way that feels meaningful to you. Shave your head, cut a ponytail, walk, run, craft, or dedicate your own creative challenge, all in support of childhood cancer research.
By participating or donating, you are joining a nationwide community of St. Baldrick’s volunteers working to fund lifesaving research and give kids facing cancer the long, healthy lives they deserve. Together, we can turn compassion into cures.
Thank you for standing with our kids and our community.
A Note From the Event Coordinator:
Hi, I’m Lesa, and St. Baldrick’s has been close to my heart for over a decade.
I first became involved in 2014 when I shaved my head and raised $3,245 for childhood cancer research in honor of my 8 year old student. Today, she is 19 and thriving. Since then, I have continued supporting St. Baldrick’s events across several duty stations, meeting incredible families and witnessing the strength of children fighting cancer.
When I realized there was no St. Baldrick’s event here at Camp Lejeune, I knew I had to change that. Over the years, I have watched many friends and family members battle this disease, and cancer became deeply personal to our family in 2019 when my husband was diagnosed with stage 3C cancer. He came home to fight and is now in remission, but our lives were forever changed. Since then, I have also lost my dad and a best friend to cancer.
Hope is everything to me and to my family as we continue to heal. It is just as important for the kids fighting today and for those who have yet to be diagnosed. This event is about hope, about community, and about doing something now to protect the future.
Thank you for being part of this fight.