St. Baldrick’s Foundation event to help fight pediatric cancer
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — If getting his head shaved wasn’t enough, Marble Falls Fire Rescue Capt. Coy Guenter wants to give you a new computer if you help him get his haircut.
Guenter is one of many area residents jumping into the barber’s chair March 1 at the Tree House, 806 Main St., for a good cause. He and the others are raising money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the leading provider of funds for pediatric cancer research outside the U.S. government.
“It’s just a great organization,” Guenter said. “They do a lot for pediatric cancer research. I just want to be a part of it and help out.”
Guenter and others are raising money by taking pledges toward getting their heads shaved.
Yeah, they’re volunteering to get their heads shaved.
The St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events started more than 13 years ago from a challenge between businessmen. The three men decided to shave their heads for donations in an effort to help kids with cancer.
Since that first one in 2000, it has grown to more than 1,300 individual events each year.
Craig Lusinger, the local event’s organizer, said he decided to get involved because it was a chance to make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer.
“I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of the kids and keep up with them,” he said. “And it’s just amazing what has been accomplished thanks to funds raised through St. Baldrick’s. A lot of their money, about 84 percent I believe, goes back to research.”
The concept is simple: You sign up at www.stbaldricks.org, register for an event and then solicit people to support you by pledging through your account at the website. Guenter has decided to entice donors by offering a HP2000 computer.
“Anybody who donates $25 or more to my page will get their name put in at a chance for the computer,” he said.
Donations can be big or small. Every bit counts, Lusinger pointed out.
People can register or sign up online right up to the day of the event or simply show up and register. The event starts at 11 a.m. with the hair trimmers buzzing at noon.
“It’s a lot of fun for everybody,” Lusinger said. “There will be live music and free food. It’s always enjoyable. So, everybody can come out and help fight pediatric cancer.”
Call Lusinger at (830) 613-9161 for more information or to find out how you can help.
daniel@thepicayune.com