On Tuesday, March 29, Saint Xavier University will host St. Baldrick’s for the second year in a row. The event will be from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm and will take place in the Shannon Center.
St. Baldrick’s is a childhood cancer charity that raises funds for promising research to find cancer cures. Since 2000, St. Baldrick’s volunteers have held head-shaving events in 28 countries and in all 50 states of the US. They have risen over $178 million going straight to cancer research.
This year, Jaclyn Chojna, Nursing senior SXU student, is the lead event organizer of the second annual St. Baldrick’s held at SXU. She, along with all the volunteers, is encouraging students, faculty, families, and the community to attend the event. The Xavierite had the opportunity to interview Chojna about the event.
“We hope that this event will bring more awareness to the SXU community about childhood cancer research,” said Chojna. Last year, Alumna Annie Costello brought St. Baldrick’s to SXU for the very first time. Chojna shared how the idea emerged.
“Her family experienced a very emotional time as they learned how to cope with a tragic illness that came into their life. Annie used this as her motivation to want to help others, especially children and young adults undergoing treatment for cancer, leading to [her] hosting St. Baldrick’s at SXU,” said Chojna.
The outcome of the first St. Baldrick’s was a success. Chojna and volunteers are excited to bring the event for a second time at SXU. This year, St. Baldrick’s is being sponsored by Saint Xavier Council, Student Nurses Association, and SXU’s Student Veteran Alliance.
“This year, we have decided to continue the event in hopes that we can bring us even closer to a cure for childhood cancer. We want to bring awareness to the Saint Xavier community of this while also providing an outlet for people to gain strength that they are not alone,” added Chojna.
The theme for this year’s St. Baldrick’s will be “Past, Present, and Future.” SXU will honor two of its students battling cancer: Nicole Munoz and Tara Hill. Chojna added that both of these amazing and strong individuals will be sharing their emotional and inspiring stories at the event.
Nicole Munoz will represent the “Past,” as she recently graduated from SXU, receiving a B.A. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Munoz has been diagnosed with stage III-B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Ewing’s Sarcoma, and a growing tumor on her uterus. She has put her career on hold to undergo treatment.
Tara Hill will represent the “Present,” being a current SXU student majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Psychology. She has been diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a growing tumor on her chest, and recently discovered her liver is not functioning well. Hill is also undergoing treatment and examinations.
The “Future” will be represented by the SXU community’s efforts in creating awareness and raising funds with the help of volunteers and donations for the cause.
During the event, participants will shave their heads by a local barber in solidarity with children who lose their hair due to cancer treatments. Several students have already pre-registered as a “shavee” and are ready to brave the shave, including a faculty member.
“We have many students signed up to shave their head, along with a faculty member, Brian Mueller!” shared Chojna with excitement. “St. Baldrick’s is not only for a great cause, but it will show your support to the people who are shaving their heads, whether you know them or not . . . people can sign up to become a shavee where they will volunteer to shave their head as they raise funds for childhood research,” said Chojna.
Whether it’s shaving, volunteering, donating, or supporting, many students, staff and community members are expected to attend. Raffles will also be held with different prizes for the attendees.
With this event, Chojna and the volunteers hope to create more awareness in the SXU community about childhood cancer. “We tend to think that things like cancer won’t happen to us, but we have to realize that it can happen to anyone, even in our own backyard, like with Nicole and Tara,” said Chojna.
Students who are interested in becoming a volunteer, donating, or being a “shavee” are encouraged to sign up through the website stbaldricks.org/events/sxu2016. On the day of the event, donations in cash or check will be accepted, as well as “shavee” walk-ins.
Lastly, Chojna added that what she liked the most about hosting St. Baldrick’s was the difference they are able to make in the lives of children who have cancer.
Miryam Villarreal
News Editor
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