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Hero Fund

Sweet Caroline Fund


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Caroline lit up every room she entered with her magnificent smile and friendliness - often the "pied piper" of friends and animals alike. Her giving spirit and contagious grin persisted through chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and physical therapy. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right arm in January 2014, Caroline spent most of that year in the hospital. Despite treatment, Caroline’s disease continued to progress and she died on January 9, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.
2024
$3,376
Funds Raised in 2024
2023
$18,734
Funds Raised in 2023
$256,715
Total Funds Raised
Since 2014

Since she was a little girl, Caroline roamed her Texas neighborhood bearing freshly baked goods and making friends with all the neighbors.

Caroline’s giving spirit and contagious grin persisted through chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and physical therapy. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right arm in January 2014, Caroline spent most of that year in the hospital in Houston.

Despite the treatment, Caroline’s disease continued to progress and she died on January 9, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.

"We have learned that statistics don't matter — this disease is highly personalized. Each child responds differently as we have learned with our many challenges over this past year," her father, Mark, said. When Caroline felt well enough, she liked to go shopping and spend time with family, friends, her two Labradoodles, and her newest family member, Herbert the Hedgehog.

She loved all holidays, but especially Easter and Christmas, when she relished picking out the perfect presents for her loved ones and decorating. Her motto with holiday decorations was "more is more"! Her mom, Lauren, said, "She was a 'giver' and loved to share happiness. She once told me how much she loves to just make people laugh.”

Sweet Caroline Fund Highlights & Happenings

  Caroline the Ambassador

Caroline was one of five St. Baldrick's 2015 Ambassadors selected to represent the thousands of kids touched by childhood cancer.

What is Osteosarcoma?

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer in children. Learn more about this type of cancer here!

 Virtual Shave for Uncle Dave

Caroline's uncle, Dave Lugar, believes that no child should suffer the same loss that Caroline and her family did. He's decided to kick off his own virtual event.

Photo Gallery

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Where does the money go?

Donations given to the Sweet Caroline Fund have generously supported a St. Baldrick's Scholar grant for Lara Davis, M.D., a St. Baldrick's Research grant for Susan Miranda, Ph.D., and a St.Baldrick's Fellow Grant for Avanthi Shah, M.D.  These researchers are developing better treatments for osteosarcoma.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation is guided by a Scientific Advisory Committee, comprised of leading experts in the childhood cancer community, to ensure that every dollar makes the greatest impact for kids with cancer.

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  Who's involved

These people make us smile - they’re the doers and money-raisers on behalf of the Sweet Caroline Fund. They’re shaving their heads, hosting events, starting fundraisers and more to make childhood cancer research possible.

See who’s raising money

Get involved your own way:

Start your own St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event to raise money on behalf of our Hero Fund! You’ll be paired with a staff member who will walk you through every step of the process, and you’ll have fun knowing you’re doing a great thing for kids with cancer.

Register to shave your head and raise money for our Hero Fund at any St. Baldrick’s event happening around the world! Not finding an event near you? Register as a virtual shavee and shave your head anytime, anywhere.

Head-shaving not your thing? You can start a fundraiser to raise money for our Hero Fund with St. Baldrick’s in a way that interests you! Like biking? Bike a marathon. Like baking? Start a cookie baking fundraiser… You get the picture.

Need help? Email us at Funds@StBaldricks.org

Thank you to our 2024 donors

$500 - $1,000

$100 - $250

$1 - $100

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Private events are for people at the company, organization, school, etc., where the event is taking place. Please don't crash the party.

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Private events are for people at the company, organization, school, etc., where the event is taking place.