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March 28, 2006 K-STATE STUDENTS PLANNING EVENT TO SHAVE HEADS FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER SALINA – Lindsey Boeckman lost all of her hair during a battle with a rare form of bone cancer at age 17. And now, as a junior in professional pilot at Kansas State University at Salina, she is encouraging her classmates – and anyone else – to shave their heads to raise money in support of cancer research. On April 1, Boeckman will be leading a St. Baldrick’s Day event at K-State at Salina. St. Baldrick’s Day is an event that takes place around the world – normally on or near St. Patrick’s Day – where volunteers agree to have their heads shaved in public in return for pledges of financial support. Proceeds go to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and its primary beneficiary, the CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation. “I wanted to do something fun on campus that could get a lot of students’ attention, but still make a big difference to others,” said Boeckman, who also is community service chair of the K-State at Salina student governing association. “This was a perfect fit – it’s an important cause, and everyone I talk to seems to want to get involved.” So far, nearly 20 K-State at Salina students have signed up to actually have their heads shaved, while many more will be volunteers at the event, Boeckman said. Hair Affaire, a Salina salon, is helping provide barbers for the event. Hair Affaire also has agreed to coordinate a donation of cut hair to Locks of Love, which provides wigs to children with long-term medical hair loss. Saturday’s event will include carnival games for a 25 cents per play, refreshments and a short recognition ceremony. It is open to the public; a free-will offering is requested for admission, to benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “The event will be really fun,” Boeckman said, “and there’s still time for anyone else in the community to get involved and sign up to get their head shaved. We’ll even take people on the day of, if they want to come in and participate.” Information about St. Baldrick’s Day, including a registration form and ways to support the “shavees” may be found at http://www.stbaldricks.org. |