St. Baldrick's Foundation Launches Viral Video Campaign To Spread Awareness During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma
Article Date: 10 Sep 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The St. Baldrick's Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, has launched a viral video campaign in observance of September's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. St. Baldrick's is calling on individuals to submit their videos about why childhood cancer awareness is important to them. Video can include "shavee" footage from St. Baldrick's head-shaving events, but is not limited to official foundation activities. For more information about how to enter your video, visit the St. Baldrick's Stories - Video Campaign. The video with the most views by Sept. 30, will be featured on the St. Baldrick's Web site.

Each year 160,000 kids are diagnosed with cancer worldwide, and it remains the number one disease-killer of children in the United States and Canada. So far in 2008, St. Baldrick's has raised more than $16.7 million and awarded more than $12.6 million in pediatric oncology grants and fellowships. A second round of grants for 2008 will be issued this fall. St. Baldrick's has been able to accomplish this due to the tremendous support from the brave men, women and children who collect pledges of support from family and friends and in return shave their heads to stand in solidarity with kids who typically lose their hair during treatment.

"This contest was inspired by the amazing videos that shavees often send us after their local St. Baldrick's event," says Kathleen Ruddy, Executive Director for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. "All of these videos will tell a different story, but together they will help us illustrate the need to take action against this deadly disease and help find a cure for childhood cancer."

In addition to the video campaign, interested supporters can visit www.StBaldricks.org to locate an event in their community, organize an event, pledge to shave or donate money to the foundation. Since 2000, St. Baldrick's head-shavings have taken place in 18 countries and 48 U.S. states, raising more than $50,814,881, and shaving more than 72,940 heads.

About The St. Baldrick's Foundation

The St. Baldrick's Foundation makes grants to research institutions to find new cures for childhood cancer, and to find treatments to ensure a better quality of life for patients and survivors. The Foundation funds research projects conducted by established pediatric cancer experts, as well as younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, offering the best available care for every child. The St. Baldrick's Foundation is grateful to its many volunteers (bald or not!) and donors, including Headblade Ultimate Headcare, PartnerRe, elope and QBE for making life-saving childhood cancer research possible.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation

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