When
Saugerties mom Gloria Darmanin first decided to host her own St. Baldrick’s head-shaving
fundraiser, she timidly set the fundraising goal at $3,000.
“I wasn’t sure
we’d even hit that number,” she says. “Each time we hit our goal, I’d raise it
by another thousand.”
The event has already raised
nearly $50,000 and that number is growing every day. More than 80 volunteers
have signed up to shave their heads, ranging from stay-at-home mothers to
police officers, and even children as young as kindergarten age.
The St. Baldrick’s
Foundation is a
national charity dedicated to raising money for children’s cancer research.
Volunteers like Darmanin organize local head-shaving events, where
children and adults brave the shave in solidarity with kids with cancer.
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With less than 4 percent of all
federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer research, St.
Baldrick’s is committed to funding the most promising research to find cures
for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.
“These children are worth more
than 4 percent,” says Darmanin. “St. Baldrick’s is volunteer driven, which is
key. The foundation funds more childhood cancer research grants than any
organization except the U.S. government.
"Seven children die every
day of cancer in the U.S.A," she continues. "Every
day! Worldwide, a child is diagnosed every three minutes.
"We need people to know that
children in your own towns are battling the hardest thing in their lives. How
many of these children are dying? How many are affected by the strong
medications being pumped through their little bodies? Instead of running around
the playgrounds and attending birthday parties, they are living in and out of
hospitals."
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Darmanin says she chose St.
Baldrick's because she
knew they relied so heavily on volunteers.
"I have learned a lot about
where our money goes with some more well known charities, and I can no longer
give my energy and my heart to organizations where more pennies to the dollar
end up in a CEO's pocket than directly toward the cause."

Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has
awarded more than $154 million to support lifesaving research, making the
foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer research
grants.
With their signature head-shaving
events, volunteers are raising more than just money, they are raising
awareness, says Darmanin..
"For every bald head that is
walking around, it gives them the opportunity to tell others why they are bald
by choice," she says. "All this while also showing the St. Baldrick's
honored families and children that we stand by you! Without dedicated
volunteers and shavees, none of this is possible."
The family-friendly event will be
held Saturday, March 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Multi-Purpose/Senior
Center on 207 Market St. in Saugerties. In addition to the shavees, there will be a DJ, face
painting, bake sale, raffles, and more.