LOS ANGELES, CA – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation - the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants in the U.S., is honored to celebrate the everyday heroes who make an extraordinary impact in the fight against childhood cancer. Among these heroes are the brave firefighters who have gone above and beyond to support children battling cancer for the past 25 years.
Childhood cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children in the United States, claiming more young lives than any other illness. Every two minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer, and, sadly, one in five of those children will lose their battle against the disease. Those that do survive often develop long-term health issues later in life. Despite this devastating reality, research efforts to find cures and better treatments are underfunded. In the face of this enormous challenge, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation plays an essential role in bridging the funding gap, by supporting the best research that leads to new discoveries, improved treatments, and, ultimately, hope for a cure.
St. Baldrick’s operates through the generosity of volunteers and donors, making it a truly community-driven organization. For over two decades, firefighters across the U.S. have partnered with St. Baldrick’s to raise awareness and funds through head-shaving events, showing solidarity with children who lose their hair during treatment. Thanks to their heroic generosity, over 49,000 firefighters have shaved their heads, raising more than $23 million to fund groundbreaking childhood cancer research.
These efforts have helped St. Baldrick’s support over 1,842 research projects at more than 383 institutions worldwide, contributing to nearly every major advancement in childhood cancer treatment. This year alone, firefighter-hosted events have raised close to half a million dollars, with over 370 volunteers standing with kids fighting cancer. Their unwavering dedication helps fund lifesaving clinical trials, the next generation of cancer researchers, and the discovery of innovative treatments.
Fire departments can participate by hosting or attending a head-shaving event, starting a personal fundraiser, or simply donating. Every dollar raised brings us one step closer to Conquer Kids’ Cancer.
To learn more about how firefighters nationwide are teaming up with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and how you can join the fight against childhood cancer, please click here.
About St. Baldrick’s Foundation
Every 2 minutes, a child somewhere in the world is diagnosed with cancer. In the U.S., 1 in 5 will not survive. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants, has awarded more than $352 million to researchers to Conquer Kids’ Cancer. When you give to St. Baldrick’s, you don’t just give to one hospital – you support every institution with the expertise to treat kids with cancer across the U.S. St. Baldrick’s ensures that children fighting cancer now — and those diagnosed in the future — will have access to the most cutting-edge treatment, by supporting every stage of research, from new ideas in the lab to the training of the next generation of researchers, to lifesaving clinical trials. St. Baldrick’s has played a role in virtually every advancement in the field over the past 25 years and remains essential in advancing progress and fostering innovation in childhood cancer research. Visit StBaldricks.org and help #ConquerKidsCancer.
