By Kelly Martin

Special to the chronicle

Hofstra University’s eighth annual St. Baldrick’s Day charity event raised over $30,000 for childhood cancer research in the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center on Wednesday, March 9. 

At the event, hosted by the Hofstra roller hockey team, participants raised money through silent auctions, pledges and monetary donations. The main draw however, was the dozens of people who shaved their heads in an effort to raise money and help promote the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s cause.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a charity that was founded in 2000, has raised over $270 million for childhood cancer research and is the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants.

Ryan McCallen, a freshman on the roller hockey team who shaved his head for the cause, has been involved with the charity since he was in elementary school. “You just want to do anything you can to give back … it’s nice to do,” he said.

As a long time supporter, he is comfortable with the idea of shaving his head by now. “It’s always fun … whether I’ve got hair or whether I don’t have hair, it doesn’t matter,” McCallen said.

According to Traci Shirk, the public relations and media manager for the nonprofit organization, the goal of the event is to “not only raise money for research of cures and better treatment so children with cancer can lead long, healthy lives, but also to show people standing in solidarity with kids who lose their hair during cancer treatment.”

Money is awarded to researchers and doctors through a grant process that does not discriminate about the type of cancer the research is funding. The grants are given out in two cycles, in the fall and summer, to various institutions across the country. They have been instrumental in the process of researching cures and finding more effective ways to help children battle their illnesses.

The extensive amount of planning that goes into the event is made easier by the Hofstra community’s eagerness to participate.

“It kind of does itself now, as far as having everyone show up and participate,” Cole Sodaro, coordinator and president of the roller hockey team, said.

Colin Sullivan, the director of communications for Student Affairs, has worked on the event for five years and says that the bulk of the promotion and planning starts after the holiday season, but everyone has been working on the fundraiser since the previous November.

After another successful year, the tradition of St. Baldrick’s Day at Hofstra will likely continue for many years to come. The passion from people working to pull the project off has proven infectious and the Hofstra community has shown its dedication to the cause.