Kelly Starkweather gets shaved at last year’s St. Baldrick’s event in Candor. (Provided Photo)
Every spring, Candor EMS hosts a St. Baldrick’s Shave-a-Thon to raise money for childhood cancer research. This year’s annual head-shaving event will take place on Sunday, April 3, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Candor Fire Station.
“We’re hoping to shave more heads this year and raise $35,000,” says event coordinator Kelly Starkweather. “But stay tuned, because we have more than shaving in the works.”
This will be Starkweather’s sixth year of involvement with the Candor St. Baldrick’s Event. “The St. Baldrick’s Foundation has made some great progress on fighting childhood cancer and helping the children as they go through the side effects of the treatments,” she says.
Starkweather added, “Since I’ve become involved with this event I have met some very strong children and parents. Seeing and learning what they have gone through makes shaving my head a little thing.”
According to the National Cancer Center, cancer in children is rare but it is the leading cause of death among children in the United States. Unfortunately, the incidence of cancer among adolescents and young adults in the U.S. is increasing at a greater rate than any other age group, except those over 65 years. In New York State alone, the rates for childhood cancer increased 43 percent between 1976 and 2012.
“Every three minutes a child somewhere in the world is diagnosed with cancer,” says Starkweather. “That’s way too many moms and dads hearing that their child has cancer.”
Although the National Cancer Institute funds cancer research, less than 4 percent of their budget is directed to childhood cancers. That’s why volunteers from Candor EMS and the community began supporting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and continue to hold annual Shave-a-Thon events.
“I encourage everyone out there to look in the mirror, and say, ‘it’s my choice to shave my head’,” said Starkweather, adding, “Children going through cancer treatment don’t get that choice.”
You can get involved in the Candor St. Baldrick’s Shave-a-Thon by visiting their website at www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/4251/2016 or by contacting Kelly Starkweather at (607) 972-4395 or by email to krstarkwe@gmail.com.
