St. Baldrick's is the world's largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. Every year, thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity with children fighting cancer, requesting donations of support from friends and family. In the five years since St. Baldrick's became an independent charity, it has funded over $41.7 million in life-saving childhood cancer research. Cancer is the number one disease killer of children in the United States and Canada. Research saves lives. One look into the face of a child with cancer, or one laugh at a newly shorn shavee, is all it takes to find your inner hero. Volunteers and donors have fun supporting a serious cause. Young cancer patients and survivors see how many people care, and researchers get funds from St. Baldrick's to help find cures! Each year, 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide.

An independent St. Baldrick's event will take place on Saturday, April 17, at 2 p.m. at the Neighborhood Inn in Hoffman Estates. Last year's event raised just over $13,400 for St. Baldrick's. This year, over 50 shavees signed up for the event. All shavees will have their heads shaved at Shear Magic, which is located next door to Neighborhood Inn. Everyone is invited to attend the event to show their support of thier favorite shavee or to make a donation to this wonderful cause. During the event there will be a raffle, 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction. There will also be a DJ, live music, bagpipes and drum corps, and an appearance by the Chicago Slaughter Dance Team under a tent in the parking lot of Neighborhood Inn.

For more information, to sign-up as a shavee, or volunteer or to make a donation, visit the event website at: www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/eventid/2117/eventyear/2010