As clippers buzzed and hair fell to the floor, Mount Carmel students and staff came together on March 17th for a cause way bigger than themselves.
The school’s annual St. Baldrick’s event, now in its twentieth year, raised more than $8,000 to support research for pediatric cancer. More than fifty participants from MC took part, either by shaving their heads, trimming their hair, or raising money to contribute to the cause.
“It’s a foundation that raised money to find cures for pediatric cancer,” event organizer Mr. John Stimler said when explaining the purpose of St. Baldrick’s. “For 20 years, we’ve been doing it.
MC has been involved in the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for two decades, joining the cause not long after the organization was founded 25 years ago. The school got involved with the foundation due to students who had battled cancer within our community.
“We have had students who have battled cancer while they were here,” said Mr. Stimler. “This was a great way to support something that we saw happening in our own student body.’
Over time, the event has grown into a tradition that brings together students and faculty for a shared purpose. Mr. Stimler himself has been involved for his entire time at MC, shaving his head 18 years in a row.
“I have participated ever since I’ve been here,” Mr. Stimler said. “It’s something that I did in my first year, and I’ve continued to this day.”
For many participants, the event is more than just a tradition; it is personal.
“What inspired me to do St. Baldrick’s is that I have a family member who suffers from pediatric cancer,” said senior Frank Burke. “I felt that this was a good cause to help represent them.”
Burke also worked to spread awareness and raise funds before the event.
“I’ve been sending text messages to the people I know and trying to get them to help raise money for this cause,” Burke said.
Other students participated simply to make a difference and support a meaningful cause.
“I’ve seen a lot of people at Mount Carmel doing it, and it’s something that can do a lot of good for the world,” said sophomore Nick Kovacevich, who was participating in head-shaving for the first time. “Anything we can do to support the cause, we should do it above and beyond.”
While shaving heads has always been the centerpiece of the event, St. Baldrick’s has expanded participation options in recent years. Participants can now choose to fundraise without shaving, or they can opt for a “trim,” drawing more students to participate.
“Not everyone wants to shave their head,” said Mr. Stimler. “So you can just fundraise now.”
This flexibility helped increase participation. The money raised goes directly to St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which then distributes funds to researchers working to develop treatments specifically for childhood cancer.
“The survival rate for kids with childhood cancer has gone up significantly,” said Mr. Stimler. “The research is working.”
With more than $8,000 raised and over 50 participants involved, the event’s 20th year continued a tradition of service and support within the MC community.
