A cancer diagnosis is always devastating, and rarely more so than when the diagnosed patient is a child or young person.
LONG ISLAND, New York, January 30, 2018 (Newswire.com) - Charities such as the St. Baldrick's Foundation exist to fund research into conquering childhood cancers, supported and powered by donations and fundraising events.
August Ruckdeschel knows only too well the heartbreak caused by childhood cancer, having lost his younger brother to the disease.
Speaking of the loss, Ruckdeschel said, "I don't think I need to remind [anyone] what the loss of my youngest brother, Ryan, has done to my family. Childhood diseases are just traumatizing to the families affected. "
He goes on to say, "As a society, we know we can be doing a much better job-fighting leukemia and childhood cancer and disease. So enough is enough. I need your help!"
As a result, now, on a biennial basis, August Ruckdeschel shaves his head in a bid to support childhood cancer research charities such as St. Baldrick's Foundation.
"As you probably remember, every two years I shave my head to raise money for childhood cancer research," he says.
A so-called "shavee", August is one of the thousands of individuals who each year partake in St. Baldrick's signature head-shaving events.
Even the foundation's name is a nod to the process of shaving fundraisers' heads. "St. Baldrick's" is a combination of the words "bald" and "St. Patrick's".
It's a name which came about when the first head-shaving event, held in 2000 by the then-fledgling foundation, happened to take place on March 17, which is St. Patrick's Day.
On a previous outing as a shavee, August raised over $2,500.
This time, he was hoping to beat that by setting a target of $3,000.
To his utmost surprise and absolute delight, he smashed the target and raised a total of over $6,700.
Since 2005, St. Baldrick's has given more than $230 million to support life-saving pediatric cancer research. The foundation funds some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world, as well as organizations such as the Pediatric Cancer Dream Team, in association with Stand Up To Cancer.
As a result of his most recent head shaving, August has ascended to the rank of St. Baldrick's "Squire of Hope".
"Be it known to all that this participant has dedicated at least three years of service to the St. Baldrick's Foundation helping kids with cancer throughout all the land," the charity says in praise of August's ongoing fundraising efforts.
In 2017, over 14,500 fellow St. Baldrick's "League Members"—Squires, Knights, Commanders, and Crusaders—raised almost $12 million to fund the foundation's ongoing childhood cancer research through head-shaving events and other fundraising activities.
To find events around you, please visit St. Baldrick's website.
Media Contact:
Eric Blankenship
Eric@Netreputation
786-332-6554
Source: Web Presence, LLC
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